Terry Robinson targets The Kosciuszko first-up for Art Cadeau

Trainer Terry Robinson has an audacious plan to send stable star Art Cadeau first-up into the $1.3m The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick during the spring carnival.

Robinson, who is chasing his 17th TAB Highway win with King’s Trust at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, revealed Art Cadeau is back in training and being aimed at The Kosciuszko which is run on Everest Day on October 16.

“Art Cadeau had his first day’s work today,’’ Robinson said on Wednesday.

“He’s come back after his break looking really well. Hopefully he will get picked for The Kosciuszko and the plan at this stage is not to give him a lead-up run.

“He’s a real athlete who races best fresh so he will have two jumpouts or barrier trials into the race.’’

Robinson gave Art Cadeau nearly nine weeks between runs before his win in the Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick in April.

Art Cadeau’s return to training coincides with NSW TAB customers being able to purchase tickets for a chance to be a part of The Kosciuszko from Thursday.

TAB customers can buy a $5 ticket which could give them the opportunity of owning a share in one of the 14 starters in The Kosciuszko.

These tickets can be purchased online or via the TAB App and will be available at TAB outlets, pubs, clubs and racetracks one they are open again.

There is no limit to the number of Kosciuszko tickets an individual can purchase before the September 7 deadline.

Terry Robinson is setting Art Cadeau to run in The Kosciuszko first-up. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Art Cadeau is a virtual certainty to be selected for The Kosciuszko as he has never missed a top-two finish in his 11 career starts, winning five and earning more than $610,000 prizemoney.

He is currently on the second line of The Kosciuszko betting at $6 behind last year’s winner, unbeaten mare It’s Me at $4.50.

Robinson said races like The Kosciuszko, Country Championships series and TAB Highways have been a “game changer” for country-based trainers and owners.

“These races are fantastic for everyone concerned in country racing,’’ Robinson said.

“The TAB Highways from Saturday are now worth $100,000 and for class two and three horses from the country running for that sort of prizemoney each week is incredible.’’

The increase in prizemoney for the TAB Highways (from $75,000 to $100,000 per race) from this Saturday also coincides with the introduction of the new $100,000 Midway Handicaps for eligible trainers.

This means there are now 10 races at Sydney Saturday meetings each week with the Rosehill opener at 11am this weekend.

Racing NSW has also raised minimum prizemoney for the other eight races on Saturday meetings to $130,000 (up $5000).

Originally published asArt Cadeau set for ambitious assault on Kosciuszko

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