Ice Kool is still developing his racing maturity, but his inherent talent is undeniable, as he demonstrated by overcoming his inexperience to claim another promising win at Randwick.
The three-year-old colt consistently makes his job harder by not anticipating the start and then wanting to get on with proceedings, yet he continues to surge through the grades.
His victory in Saturday’s Ensure Workplace Risk Solutions Handicap (1000m) was his fourth from five starts. Trainer David Pfieffer concedes the horse has some quirks but is hopeful that time and maturity will improve them.
“He makes it hard for himself. He’s slow out of the gates, and then he had to use himself to muster a bit of speed,” Pfieffer stated. “He’s still ironing out his race craft, and he’s just got to get those one percenters right. When he does that, he’s going to keep improving.
“If he learns to settle and adapt to races when things don’t go to plan, we’ll see a nice horse.”
Ridden by regular jockey Jay Ford, Ice Kool, the $1.50 favourite, mustered quickly to sit three-wide on the speed. He had to dig deep under his 60kg impost to score by a half-length over Petticoat ($14), with Teylu ($41) a long head away third.
While this is considered off-season form, Pfieffer believes Ice Kool has the potential to develop into a carnival horse and plans to give him a short break to prepare for the spring.
“We might look to give him a let-up and then poke around at carnival time,” he commented. “I’m contemplating going to Melbourne because I’m thinking he won’t be in the Concorde (Stakes), The Shorts, the Premiere (Stakes). He’s not at that level yet.
“Testing him down the straight or around Caulfield or Sandown, a few of those races that are second tier stakes races will be nice little targets. Hopefully we’re talking those Sydney lead-up races this time next year.”
Compare the latest racing odds at Australia’s premier betting sites.