Cool Aza Rene Too Tough

Recording her third win this season, Cool Aza Rene (2 f Cool Aza Beel – Irene, by Xtravagant) prevailed after a stern tussle when resuming in the $35,000 Nellies Restaurant & Bar 2YO 820 metres on 1 June at Wingatui.

An impressive debut winner in October at Otaki, Cool Aza Rene made it two from two in the Speight’s Premier 2YO 1000 metres on the middle day of Cup Week (13 Nov.) at Riccarton, and recently remained on terms while sustaining a strong gallop for second when trialling on 20 May at Ashburton.

Although faced with testing ground, Cool Aza Rene had shown good manners in earlier races, recorded two trial wins on heavy ground, and warranted favouritism.

Similar to her trial at Ashburton, Cool Aza Rene began well to race between runners on speed, came together with rival El Vaquero (Ferrando) to her outside at the 100m, but would not be denied and fought back near the line. 

It was a good ride by Ace Lawson-Carroll (a1), switching the whip over to his left hand in the concluding stages, and a tenacious performance by a filly going places. 

“She came into the race with a bit of form and she’s going the right way,” Lawson-Carroll said. 

“The bump (mid-straight) took the wind out her, but she seemed to find another leg, as well.”

Also in the race, stable-mate and debutante Options Open (Darci Brahma) went through the line solidly for sixth in the hands of Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a4). 

On Heavy10 footing, Cool Aza Rene ran 820 metres in 50.8 and paid $3.00 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

On course, Assistant Trainer and strapper on the day, Hunter Durrant said: “She’s a tough filly and a wee bump like that probably doesn’t bother her too much. She travelled down well and the trip away is great for her.”

Durrant suggested that Cool Aza Rene could be aimed towards the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes as an early spring assignment at Riccarton.

“It was a good tough effort and obviously she got through the testing ground quite well,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “She showed a lot of heart to get up and win, close to the line.

“She’s building quite a nice record and we’ll look to run her again on the 21st June in the $35,000 2YO 1000 metres at Riccarton.  

“We really do like the progeny of Cool Aza Beel, especially as they look as though they’ll keep developing into much better three-year-olds.”

Cool Aza Rene is among nine individual two-year-old winners for the stable this season, that have won 17 races, and brought up the 119th win for the premiership leading trainers, looking to defend their title from last season. 

A filly with a great Te Akau pedigree, Cool Aza Rene was an value purchase by David Ellis CNZM for A$55,000 at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Newhaven Park, and is owned by the Te Akau One Cool Beel Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

Both his sire, Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), and dam-sire Xtravagant (Pentire), were purchased as yearlings by Ellis and went on to win Group One races before standing at Newhaven Park Stud (NSW). 

Cool Aza Rene recorded the first win for the former Te Akau trained Champion Two Year Old Cool Aza Beel, who won the Karaka Million 2YO and Group One Sistema Stakes, while his dam-sire Xtravagant produced a race record 1:33.5 when winning the Group One 2000 Guineas by 8.5 lengths, and followed up with an 8-length win in the Group One NRM Sprint against the older horses - before going on to be named Champion Three Year Old.

From his first crop two-year-olds by Cool Aza Beel, Cool Aza Rene sits second with three wins, behind Cool Archie, whose four wins have included victories in the $1 million Group Two BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes this weekend, Group Two Spirit Of Boom Stakes and Listed Dalrello Stakes. 

A direct descendant of Champion 2YO Filly in Australia, Hasna (Snippets), Cool Aza Rene is the first foal out of a mare by dual Group One winner Xtravagant (Pentire).

Grand-dam Hades is by Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire Encosta de Lago (Fairy King) and produced four individual winners of 17 races, including Group Three placed dual winner Mintha (Redoute’s Choice).

Third dam Hasna (Snippets) won two legs of the Triple Crown: Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Champagne Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), among seven victories from 1000m to 1600m. 

“It was a big thrill for us to have bought and trained the first winner by Cool Aza Beel, when she won earlier in the season, and Mark, Sam and Hunter, have done a great job to give her a spell, give her time to keep maturing, and prepare her to win again fresh-up,” Ellis said. 

“We’ve got a great relationship with the Kelly family at Newhaven Park Stud, where both Cool Aza Beel and Xtravagant stand at stud, on a 15,000-acre property in South West N.S.W, just magnificent and beautifully farmed, and they’ve bred some great horses there.”

Cool Aza Rene carries a cross of unparalleled New Zealand sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram) on the sire line of Cool Aza Beel and dam line of dam sire Xtravagant.  

Cool Aza Rene was strapped by Hunter Durrant. 

Photo credit - Tayler Strong - www.raceimages.co.nz