Coolth wins again
Talented stayer Coolth returned to the winning list at Ascot on Saturday, December 3.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Coolth was caught wide throughout but proved too strong for his rivals in the Crown Perth Handicap (2100m).
A $13 chance and ridden by Brad Parnham, the six-year-old scored by half-a-length from Queen Alina ($6) with Mystery Island ($11) a length away third.
It was the gelding’s first win since he was victorious over 2000 metres at Flemington on January 16, 2021.
Trainer Tony McEvoy admitted Coolth had been a frustrating racehorse.
“Jockeys have given him a perfect run, but when it came to accelerate, he just didn’t let down inside horses,” McEvoy said.
“The boys come back and say he always feels really strong on the line, but he has run just behind the placegetters.
“I said to Brad on Saturday to always keep him outside runners and not to panic if he was caught wide.
“Then to make his move as if the winning post was at the 200-metre mark and he followed my instructions to the letter.
“Brad had no luck early and Coolth was wide without cover for much of the race, then produced him going to the front halfway up the straight.
“I believed Coolth would outstay his rivals and so it proved.
“It was just good to get him back into the winning list.”
McEvoy said Coolth may run next in the $125,000 Westspeed Platinum Cup (2100m) at Ascot on Saturday, December 17.
If he runs well again, the trainers will consider starting Coolth in the $500,000 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on Sunday, January 1.
“He has been nominated for the race but let’s see him run well again before thinking about a Cup run.
“He is in Western Australia so that is a tick for a Cup run, but he would need to run well at his next run.
“We just have to hope he draws a wide gate because it is obvious he likes to race outside horses and is not comfortable inside.”