Super Cool 3YO for Fastnet

Top class three year-olds Fiveandahalfstar and Super Cool (3c Fastnet Rock x Queen Mother, by Kingmambo) filled the quinella in the Group I VRC Victoria Derby during the spring and renewed hostilities at Caulfield on Saturday, with Super Cool turning the tables to win the Group II MRC Autumn Classic. The Mark Kavanagh trained son of Fastnet Rock improved on his first up third in the Group II MRC Autumn Stakes two weeks ago, tracking Fiveandahalfstar into the straight before overpowering him to win the 1800 metre contest by a length. Super Cool first rose to prominence when beating red hot favourite It’s a Dundeel in the Group II MVRC AAMI Vase in the spring and has come back in a similar vein. “Fiveandahalfstar is a genuine stayer, but our horse has that little bit better turn of foot and he showed that today,” said Mark Kavanagh. “He’ll have a very light autumn, just four runs as we are looking at the spring and you don’t want to bottom them out in the autumn.” Winning rider Michael Rodd was full of praise for Super Cool, who may measure up as a Cox Plate horse in the spring if connections have their way. “My horse was the best horse at this distance,” said Rodd. “He’s strengthened up so much and he’s nippy, he has that turn of foot. I’m really excited about his prospects.” A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainer from the draft of Amarina Farm, Super Cool has won three races and placed three times from eight starts earning some $600,000 in prizemoney. Super Cool was bred by SF Bloodstock and is the first foal of Kingmambo mare Queen Mother (USA), a half-sister to US stakes-winners Duality, Bound by Honor and Private Joe from the family of Group I winners Soaring Softly and Plenty of Grace. Fastnet Rock went close to siring a new Group I winner when his promising colt Fast ‘n’ Rocking (2c Fastnet Rock x For The Good Times, by Hennessy) chased home star filly Miracles of Life for second in the $1million MRC Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. The David Hayes trained colt might be a maiden now, but he won’t be for long!