Trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra have backed the judgment of champion jockey Damien Oliver and targeted the Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes with lightly raced two-year-old Cool God.
The God’s Own youngster powered home to finish third at his last start over 1200 metres at Warrnambool on May 3, convincing Oliver he should be ideally suited over 1600 metres in Saturday’s feature at Flemington.
“I wouldn’t swap our horse for anything else in the race on Saturday,” Zahra said.
“Damien told us not to be scared about going to a mile next start and this race was on the radar so we are giving it a go.”
The stable has always been keen on Cool God who has been placed at both his starts including a debut third to Edgewood in Bendigo’s $100,000 Inglis Autumn Plate (1100m) on March 17.
Zahra said that while Cool God had been a jump-and-run horse in his trials he had shown none of that early speed in his two race starts and appeared field shy when racing inside horses.
“Last start he kept dropping the bit but when he got balanced and there were no horses around him he really hit the line hard,” Zahra said.
Cool God made up many lengths to the home turn but was most impressive the last 75 metres when he significantly pulled back the margin and was beaten 3-1/2 lengths.
With Oliver riding Lights of Heaven in the Doomben Cup, Chris Symons has regained the mount on Cool God after riding him at Bendigo.
Cool God is the $7 third favourite behind last start Adelaide stakes winner Donna Cattiva ($2.50) and Sydney raider Fiveandahalfstar ($3.70).
