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By Julieanne Horsman

There are few racehorses that pay for themselves after just one win but Todd Smart’s bargain filly, Tip Jar, earned six times her purchase price when she took out the D’Aquino Maiden Plate (1600m) at Parkes this month.

The $1800 buy will be out to add to her winnings at Leeton tomorrow when she lines up in the Golden Apple Super IGA Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1600m).

“She will be right in the race but the tight Leeton track favours front runners and barrier one isn’t ideal,” Canberra-based trainer Todd Smart said.

“I think she is a still a preparation away from her best shape.

“She’s shown us she will be a staying horse and I’d like to see her get out to 2400m.”

In her last start at Parkes, Tip Jar with Jason Devrimol aboard, came over the top of the field to snatch victory by a length.

The breakthrough win was her first in eight starts. She had previously recorded two minor placings.

“It was a great run but she was only getting warm at the end,” Smart said.

“We definitely haven’t seen the best of her yet.”

Smart owns Tip Jar with his three brothers and some close friends and is grateful the group has been patient while he figured out what the horse wants and needs.

“It was clear she wasn’t going to win over 1200m and 1400m and getting her out to 1600m became a priority,” he said.

“She won’t cop a lot of work either so I mix up her training to keep her happy.

“If she’s happy the boys are happy.

“For some of them, the win at Parkes was their first as owners and they’re excited about having a filly with potential.”

If Tip Jar wins tomorrow she will be aimed at the Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap over 1800m at Rosehill Gardens on 11 February.

“She won’t be overtaxed this prep,” Smart said.

“This preparation is a building block for the next and there are some great opportunities for staying fillies over the Winter.”

View the fields and form for Leeton as well as replays of acceptors' previous races here.