Another Derby Contender for Fastnet Rock

Boom staying three year-old It’s a Dundeel had his colours lowered at Moonee Valley on Saturday when he was upstaged by unheralded gelding Super Cool (3g Fastnet Rock x Queen Mother, by Kingmambo), who beat him by a length and three-quarters in the Group II MVRC Mitchelton Wines Vase. The previously unbeaten It’s a Dundeel (3c High Chaparral x Stareel, by Zabeel) ran well in the 2040 metre staying test, but not well enough to win, settling back in the field as is his customary pattern before looming into contention at the top of the straight. He found the line gamely out wide, but could not overhaul the Mark Kavanagh trained Victoria Derby entry Super Cool, who was ridden a forward race by Michael Rodd and sent for home a long way from the finish. Kavanagh and Rodd hatched a pre-race plan to get out and going early, so that It’s a Dundeel would face a long chase to catch him and their plan paid dividends. “I thought we could trouble the favourite if we could get going off the bend and leave him flat footed,” Kavanagh said. “Our horse is peaking at the right time and is a big gross horse so this run will only improve him.” Michael Rodd has been aboard Super Cool at his three previous runs this campaign winning a maiden on him at Seymour on September 16 before handy efforts at Flemington and Caulfield. “He’s come a long way in a short time and today will have topped him off nicely for next week,” Rodd said. A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Amarina Farm, Super Cool has won two races and placed once from five starts earning in excess of $160,000 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. Super Cool is the 39th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock, who unearthed another Victoria Derby contender last Saturday in Hvasstan.