Six Win Boxing Day - Cool 'N' Fast Indeed

Overcoming obstacles, Cool ‘N’ Fast (2 c Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy, by Testa Rossa) provided an exciting victory in the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock – Karaka 2024 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe.

With a close second to subsequent impressive winning stable-mate Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) in his first trial, and drawing out to win after co-leading a trial on 5 December at Waipa, Cool ‘N’ Fast had plenty of expectation around the first up appearance. 

Being the full brother of Te Akau trained Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes' (Grp. 1 1200m) winner and Champion Two-Year-Old Cool Aza Beel, now standing at Newhaven Park Stud in Australia, there was plenty of interest to see if history would repeat, especially with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM having purchased both colts from the Karaka Yearling Sale.

However his debut victory was not to be all straight sailing. A saddle slip during his preliminary, and a subsequent vet inspection before the start, were difficulties that ultimately he overcame, despite them being somewhat unsettling for the young colt.

Ridden by stable rider Opie Bosson, Cool ‘N’ Fast was allowed to find his feet and settled second last, last as they turned for home, and standing the leader some eight lengths at the 600m. He was drawn to the outside on straightening and, once changing stride inside the 200m, he flattened out with massive bounds and was stag-like over the concluding stages to grab victory.

It really was an enormous performance, underlining his athleticism, and puts him right in the mix for the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie. He currently sits fourth on the Order of Entry, having won $46,000 on Boxing Day.

“He never got going early and took a bit to get into his stride - he was a handful before the race, and worked himself up a bit, so it was a good effort,” Bosson said.

“At least you know he can get back off a strong speed and hit the line.”

Drifting to third tote favourite late in the piece, Cool ‘N’ Fast paid $3.80 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote, having run 1100 metres in 1:04.9, last 600m in 33.6 (approx.), on Soft7 footing.

After stable-mate When Stars Align (Zoustar) qualified for the Karaka Millions with his debut victory on Saturday at Trentham, Cool ‘N’ Fast makes it four from the stable presently eligible in the field of 14.

“He had to do it the tough way, coming from behind, but you like a two-year-old that can really find the line,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“In both of his trials he was quite a natural horse, but when we saddled him up he was a bit above himself today and he’ll come on a lot for the experience.

“He chased them down really well and that will probably be his only run before the Karaka Millions.

“He’s the sort of horse that is more of a three-year-old type, but is just doing it all naturally at the moment. He’s got a good future.”

After purchasing his Group One winning brother, Cool Aza Beel, from the draft of Fairdale Stud at Karaka, David Ellis CNZM bought Cool ‘N’ Fast for $340,000, from the draft of Hallmark Stud, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale. He is owned by the Te Akau Cool ‘N’ Fast Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), and carrying the influence of Testa Rossa (Perugino), Red Ransom (Roberto), and Bletchingly (Biscay) on his dam side, and with his brother now at stud, the colt boasts a stallion pedigree.

His dam Cool ‘n’ Sassy won three times to 1200 metres in Australia, and the Cool ‘N’ Fast is line bred to immortal sire Northern Dancer along with blue blood producing mare Special, the dam of 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and Champion Sire Nureyev. 

The sire of Cool ‘n’ Sassy, Testa Rossa, was a Group One winner aged two, three, and four before becoming a multiple Group One producing sire and is a versatile and proven broodmare sire.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “The dam was very speedy and he’s from a good Australian family.

“He’s a nice horse, loose walking, athletic, and it’s a family that we know well and have had success with.”

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Fenton-Ellis said: “We have new owners in this horse and some owners that also raced his full-brother, Cool Aza Beel, who is now at Newhaven Park Stud in Australia, and leaving ripping types.

“To our whole team, Mark (Walker), Sam (Bergerson), Reece (Trumper), you and everyone and our whole team works so hard, especially during Christmas and New Year which is the busiest time of year for us. 

“Congratulations to the track manager Jason Fulford for the preparing the course in such good order, and to the horse himself, what he did today, a wee bit green, but he pinned his ears back and got on with it. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

Cool ‘N’ Fast will seek to become the eight consecutive Karaka Millions 2YO winner for Te Akau, following Melody Belle (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (Savabeel), Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau), Dynastic (Almanzor), and Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin). 

Like Cool Aza Beel, Cool ‘N’ Fast was also bred by Fairdale Stud, with the latter prepared for sale by Hallmark Stud.

“We’re not doing as many yearlings any more at Fairdale, so it's hard to justify doing a full prep, so we were only too pleased to have Mark (Baker) prepare him at Hallmark Stud,” said Duncan Fell.

“They do such a good job, so thought we may as well give it to him. I didn’t see the colt until I went up to the sales, but he looked a million dollars up there.

“Compared to Cool Aza Beel, he always looked more of a three-year-old type, just a bit longer and taller, whereas Cool Aza Beel was a readymade two-year-old. 

“But obviously he’s got the raw ability and he’s shown it today when he flattened out with such a long stride and really pinned his ears back. He was determined to get there.

“It would be amazing if lightning could strike twice and the mare (Cool ‘N’ Sassy) could leave two Karaka Millions winners. 

“I saw John and Sarah Kelly in December when I was in the Hunter Valley undertaking yearling inspections - the Kelly family runs a terrific operation at Newhaven Park and the Cool Aza Beel yearlings I saw were simply outstanding!”

Cool ‘N’ Fast was strapped by Rylee Sheehan. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz