Coolring is likely to have his Queensland campaign extended after landing a plunge to win the Prime Minister’s Cup at the Gold Coast.
Coolring was backed from $8 into $4.80 before leading all the way on Saturday to beat Snippets Land ($11) by three quarters of a length with Jumbo Prince ($7.50) a half length away third.
The grey gave trainer Bjorn Baker, who brought up his 100th winner of the season at Gosford on Thursday, the second leg of a feature-race double after he scored earlier in the Gold Coast Bracelet with Imposing Lass.
Stable foreman Jack Bruce said Baker’s decision to back up Coolring at the Gold Coast after finishing sixth at Hawkesbury last Saturday proved a masterstroke.
“This horse hasn’t had a saddle on his back in the past seven days and he freshened up really well for this race,” Bruce said.
“Since Coolring’s been here he’s really thrived and the way the horse is racing Bjorn could even keep him going for a few more races while he’s in this sort of form.”
Baker’s father Murray, won the 2002 Prime Minister’s Cup with Prized Gem when it was run over 2400m.
Prized Gem is the dam of AJC Australian Derby winner Nom De Jeu, also trained by Murray.
Winning jockey Jeff Lloyd said Coolring’s performance was in stark contrast to his effort when runner-up in the Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba on April 16.
“In the Weetwood he was sluggish out of the barriers but today he flew from the gates and won the race in the first half furlong when he found the lead easily,” he said.
“He kept up a strong gallop all the way although on straightening he wanted to float a bit but when Worthy Cause came at him he responded really well.”
