Taking on more seasoned sprinters in the Magic Millions Sunlight might have come too soon for the promising Ice Kool, but trainer David Pfieffer says the horse has gleaned plenty of positives from the experience.
The three-year-old resumes in Saturday’s Cornerstone Risk Group Handicap (1000m) at Randwick after an initial preparation where he won his first two starts in Sydney, before lining up in the Gold Coast slot race in January.
Finishing seventh, Ice Kool was far from disgraced against the likes of winner Grafterburners and fourth placed Savvy Hallie, who subsequently captured the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) before beating all but Tempted in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m).
“He was probably a ‘prep’ too early to take on a high-pressure race like that, but when you’ve got an opportunity and offer there, you’ve got to take it,” Pfieffer said.
“He still credited himself well. He got back, which wasn’t planned. His sectionals getting home were solid and he is going to benefit from that, and probably from the trip away.
“Savvy Hallie, Akaysha, Grafterburners (all contested the Sunlight). It was a strong three-year-old form race.”
Ice Kool has won two trials ahead of Saturday’s return and Pfieffer, who has trained some handy sprinters including Group 1 winner I Am Excited and 2022 Sydney Stakes victor Rocketing By, believes the Zoustar gelding could be his next flagbearer.
“He is a very nice horse. I’ve had some good sprinters in my time, and I think he’s going to be up there with them,” he said.
“This preparation is to get some wins on the board, get that benchmark up, and hopefully target some better races in the spring.”
Ice Kool was scratched from the Midway Handicap (1100m) last weekend due to the heavy Rosehill track and Pfieffer was pleased to see Randwick rated a soft 6 on Thursday.
From a midfield draw in barrier seven, the trainer is confident his charge can justify his $2.50 favouritism.
“It’s not going to be as wet on the weekend, so I think we’ve pulled the right rein,” Pfieffer said.
“We’ve got a nice gate, big-sized field. It looks like a nice race for him to start off with, and he’s got a bit of weight relief as well.”
If Ice Kool can string some wins together this winter and boost his benchmark rating, Pfieffer is keen to raise the bar in the spring.
That could mean a trip to Melbourne to dodge the cream of Sydney’s sprinters heading towards The Everest (1200m), and more pointedly, a trip to the straight course at Flemington.
“I’d like to test him down the straight. His racing pattern will be really well suited down there,” Pfieffer said.
“In the spring, unless he steps up to the plate, you don’t want to be taking on those Everest lead-up races. If I can get him down to Melbourne it might be right up his alley.”
