Cool Trade will improve on Bolton Sprint run

Smart mare Cool Trade will take a lot of benefit from her run in the Listed $100,000 H.G. Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday according to trainer Alan Mathews.

Mathews was forced to give Cool Trade a break to recover from a virus following her unplaced run when seventh to Dawn Approach in the Listed $125,000 Northam Toyota Stakes (1100m) at Northam on May 3.

Cool Trade’s return to the racetrack was then delayed another couple of weeks after she developed a cough during track work and Mathews decided to keep her for Saturday’s Bolton Sprint.

While he says that the Trade Fair mare is going into Saturday’s race as fit as he can get her at this stage, he feels that the run will take her up a notch heading into the rest of her Winter campaign.

“She had a little cough after a gallop two weeks ago so I decided to wait another two weeks,” Mathews told The West Australian.

“I’m really happy with her, but I don’t necessarily think she’ll be at her best on Saturday.

“She’s a five-year-old mare and isn’t as sharp any more.”

Cool Trade was racing at her peak over the Summer months and scored a one length win over Shining Knight in the Listed $100,000 Scenic Blast Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on January 10 before running second to Dawn Approach in the Listed $100,000 Miss Andretti Stakes (1200m) two weeks later.

While Mathews kept Cool Trade to the short sprinting distances over the Summer, he said the he would be happy to test her up to 1400m this campaign.

“We gave her the opportunity through Christmas to be a proper short-course sprinter, but I don’t think she is,” Mathews said.

“She might get up to 1400 now. She’s that relaxed in her work.

“There are four or five nice races over the next few months for her.”

Cool Trade has drawn barrier six in the eleven horse field with regular rider Patrick Carbery to take the mount again.

Topweight Rock Magic has drawn gate nine and has been lumped with 59kg, half a kilo more than he carried in beating Bolton Sprint rivals Rebel King and Mad Brad in the Listed $100,000 Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont a fortnight ago.

William Pike takes over from apprentice Jordan Turner on the consistent Rebel King who drops a kilo following his second to Rock Magic and is overdue for a win after picking up a place cheque at his last three starts.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.