Times Jumbo Cryptic 1068

[Mrsspagnoli57]

53a Going back across water,American slaughters rhino (11) has already been answered as 'Spondulicks' which I can understand-but-am I right in thinking that 'rhino' is superfluous here? and it could just as well have been 'dog' or 'cat' or anything that could be 'slaughtered'?
Sorry if this sounds silly but still trying to get to grips with all the different cryptic devices they use.
merry christmas too.

[dannyk13]

Rhino is another slang term for money as is spondulicks.

[whitehill]

rhino is another word for money, as of course is spondulicks, so it has to be rhino

[Mrsspagnoli57]

Is it really? Never heard of that. Thanks very much.

[whitehill]

Funnily enough, I've never come across it anywhere except in crosswords, never in real life............