Keep The Cash is guaranteed a start in the Launceston Cup after his victory in the Carlton Draught Night Cup (2100m).

The Brendan McShane trained gelding had been a shade disappointing at recent starts but produced his best on Wednesday evening.

Keep The Cash (4g Keep The Faith – Cash Stash by Dash For Cash) was given a perfect run, sitting in third place, by Shuji Amano before finishing strongly to score a comfortable win over Hobart Guineas winner Moonless and Devonport Cup winner Red Eagle.

Despite the victory, McShane said the gelding isn’t a certain starter in the 150th running of the G3 Launceston Cup (2400m) worth $225,000 on Wednesday, February 26.

“He’s a bit in and out but we saw the real horse tonight,” McShane said.  “He’s a young stayer still learning and we will see how he recovers.  He’s only a four-year-old, stands 17 hands, and is just a big baby so we have to think about his long-term future.’

“We will enter him for the Launceston Cup and see what happens between now and then.”

Keep The Cash  is by Greta West Stud sire Keep The Faith and is bred to get to get over ground being closely related to 1999 G1 Zealand Derby winner So Casual (Casual Lies).