Three-year-old Super Cool beat a strong field of older horses to claim Group 1 honours in the $1 million 2013 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington today.
The Fastnet Rock gelding was heavily backed throughout the week and he justified that with a stunning turn of foot on the back of a perfect ride from Michael Rodd.
Super Cool wins the Group 1 Australian Cup 2013 from Fiveandahalfstar. Picture: Sarah Ebbett
Front-runner Glass Harmonium ensured the race was run at a true tempo as Super Cool rolled along comfortably in fifth position.
Rounding the home turn it was clear it would a race between the two three-year-olds as Victoria Derby winner Fiveandahalfstar gave Super Cool something to chase.
It was then a repeat of the Autumn Classic where Super Cool was too sharp in the finish for his fellow three-year-old.
Trainer Mark Kavanagh set the exciting galloper for the weight-for-age race a long time ago and was understandably delighted with the result.
“He’s a very promising horse. We’ve always been pretty excited about his chances,” Kavanagh said.
“We set it for him early on and we’re here.”
Kavanagh admits he still doesn’t know where his best distance will lie but is confident he can be a player in some of the big spring races.
“I don’t know where we sit right now,” Kavanagh said.
“He’ll be nominated for everything in the spring and we’ll just let him choose the path for us.
“To get a three-year-old to win at weight-for-age against those guys, and they are tough guys, full credit to the horse.”
Regular jockey Michael Rodd was confident he was an excellent winning chance after a strong track gallop on Tuesday.
“He just worked unbelieveable Tuesday morning and he’s normally a really lazy track worker,” Rodd said.
“I just thought if I can just have average luck he should be too good them.”
Lloyd Williams-owned stayer Tanby took third-place honours ahead of Melbourne Cup-winning stablemate Green Moon.
There’s bumper Group 1 action taking place all autumn and bookmaker.com.au is the best place to back a winner!
At the Australian-owned bookie you can take advantage of a huge $400 bonus bet simply by quoting the code BONUSBET when joining today!
Australian Cup 2013 – Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | SUPER COOL | Mark Kavanagh | Michael Rodd | – | 2 | 54.5kg | $5 |
| 2 | 12 | FIVEANDAHALFSTAR | Anthony Cummings | Glen Boss | 0.1L | 3 | 54.5kg | $11 |
| 3 | 5 | TANBY | Robert Hickmott | Nicholas Hall | 4.1L | 11 | 59kg | $26 |
| 4 | 1 | GREEN MOON (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Brett Prebble | 4.2L | 8 | 59kg | $3.80F |
| 5 | 3 | GLASS HARMONIUM (IRE) | Michael Moroney | Steven Arnold | 4.95L | 6 | 59kg | $11 |
| 6 | 4 | MR MOET | Adam Durrant | Daniel Staeck | 5.05L | 12 | 59kg | $7 |
| 7 | 7 | FORETELLER (GB) | Chris Waller | Dwayne Dunn | 7.05L | 1 | 59kg | $18 |
| 8 | 2 | MOURAYAN (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Luke Currie | 7.55L | 7 | 59kg | $41 |
| 9 | 11 | INVEST | Heath Conners | Peter Mertens | 9.8L | 10 | 57kg | $81 |
| 10 | 6 | MAWINGO (GER) | Anthony Freedman | Craig Williams | 10.8L | 4 | 59kg | $7.50 |
| 11 | 9 | DURNFORD | Pat Carey | Rhys McLeod | 10.9L | 5 | 59kg | $61 |
| 12 | 10 | NICONOISE | David Hayes | Jake Noonan | 12.9L | 9 | 59kg | $41 |