By Garry Dell
Astute Atherton Tablelands owner and trainer Ricky Ludwig believes he has unearthed another promising young galloper in the winner of a lowly Maiden Plate at Cooktown on Saturday.
Three-year-old gelding Ishotthedeputy saluted at his second career start and first for Ludwig over 1000 metres at the Far North Queensland club's annual race day.
Ludwig recently purchased the Toronado youngster from Gold Coast trainer John Johnston.
Ludwig is confident that given time and experience he could emulate the feats of Ludwig's former young star Bank Bank Bank.
Bank Bank Bank was sold to Hong Kong interests last year and won for the first time at Happy Valley recently as Tomodachi Kokoroe.
"The new bloke has a long way to go to match what Bank did but I think he's got the making of a good horse," Ludwig said.
"He raced greenly on Saturday but jockey Scott Sheargold got him over the line after racing on the outside of the leader for the majority of the race.
"Scott said the horse ran about a bit under pressure but still hit the line hard.
"We will probably send him around in a Class B race at Atherton in a fortnight and then look maybe at Cairns or Townsville to see how he measures up."
Ludwig is a regular at the annual Cooktown meeting and won the Cup last year.