Fastnet Rock sired his 12th Group 1 winner at Flemington on Saturday with exceptional three year-old stayer Super Cool.

Super Cool (3g Fastnet Rock – Queen Mother by Kingmambo) brought up a dozen at the elite level for the Coolmore Stud champion with a thrilling victory over Victoria Derby hero Fiveandahalfstar in the G1 VRC Australian Cup.  The first two home were the only three year-olds in the field and they drew clear of the older horses putting four lengths on Tanby who charged home for third.

Glass Harmonium ensured a genuinely run 2000 metre test at headquarters and Super Cool was always well-placed in the front-half of the field.  When asked to accelerate by Michael Rodd, he ranged up to Fiveandahalfstar and nailed him on the line to win by a short head.

“To get a three year-old to win at weight-for-age against these older tough guys is a real big deal,” trainer Mark Kavanagh said.  “He’s a very promising horse and will go straight to the paddock now.  We will nominate him for everything in the spring.”

Kavanagh, who also trains Fastnet Rock’s injury-plagued superstar Atlantic Jewel, bought Super Cool for $150,000 from Amarina Farm at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  The Australian Cup winner was bred by SF Bloodstock and is the first foal of USA bred mare Queen Mother.

The SF Bloodstock partnership includes Gavin Murphy, an Australian working in New York City, and Australian agents Neil Bowden and Henry Field.

Super Cool became the first three year-old to win the Australian Cup since Saintly was successful in 1996.

– Karl Patterson