Tasmanian jockey Craig Newitt combined with veteran trainer John Keys to claim Sunday’s $175,000 Swan Hill Cup (1600m), with the locally bred and raised Cartoon Graveyard producing a powerful finishing burst to secure the feature.

Ridden patiently by Newitt, affectionately known as “Froggy”, the six-year-old had only one horse behind him approaching the home turn before angling into clear running down the outside. Once balanced, Cartoon Graveyard responded strongly, charging over the top of South Australian visitor Fine Future, trained by Stephen Theodore, while Henry Dwyer’s Electric Impulse filled third place.

The victory added another feature race to Cartoon Graveyard’s impressive résumé. Already a Listed winner of last year’s Murray Bridge Gold Cup, the gelding has now won eight of his 33 starts and pushed his career earnings beyond the $500,000 mark.

Cartoon Graveyard has strong Tasmanian ties. He was purchased for $50,000 by Brunton Racing and Tasmania Bloodstock from the Motree Thoroughbreds draft at the Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling Sale and is by Turffontein, the stallion standing at Mandy Gunn’s Motree Thoroughbreds at Waterhouse in Tasmania’s north-east.

Out of the Euclase mare Star Hit, Cartoon Graveyard hails from a proven family, with his dam producing seven winners.

During his successful interstate campaign, Cartoon Graveyard has been under the care of John Keys’ daughter, Kegan, along with stable foreman Scott Brunton, highlighting the strong team effort behind the Swan Hill Cup triumph.

The Swan Hill success capped a memorable day for the Keys stable, with the veteran horseman also preparing a treble at Hobart, making it a standout Sunday for the Tasmanian trainer and his team.