HE’S COOL AT WYONG NO DOUBT

WHEN you’re on a good thing, it’s cool so why change?

That’s why Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini has found another suitable race at Wyong in the near future for He’s Cool, who won there on Saturday.

The Rubick four-year-old, a $40,000 buy in the trainer’s native State (South Australia in 2023), clinched his second success at his 10^th start, in the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1100m).

Ridden by Newcastle apprentice Will Stanley, He’s Cool ($5) defeated Wyong trainer Rod Bailey’s The Netball Queen ($15) and Dear My Friend ($4.60).

“He’s Cool is unbeaten at Wyong,” Minervini proudly declared today.

“His two wins have been there, and he has won two trials as well.

“I don’t know what it is about the track, but he obviously handles it well.

“He’s Cool has been placed at Newcastle and Port Macquarie, but it’s Wyong where he really shines.

“In fairness, he did run second at Newcastle 12 months ago in a 900m Maiden to Kris Lees’ Hawker Hall, who is pretty smart.”

Minervini purchased He’s Cool because of the success he was having with the now retired Quick Tempo, with whom he won seven races.

However, it certainly hasn’t been plain sailing with the younger son of Rubick.

“It wasn’t cool with He’s Cool about 12 months ago,” Minervini said.

“He got pneumonia, and it’s hit and miss in regard to whether horses who suffer that come back.

“Thankfully he has made a good recovery.”

With a second Wyong triumph safely tucked away, Minervini didn’t take long to find another suitable assignment.

“There’s a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) for his own sex on April 16, so he’s going back there to try to maintain his unbeaten record.”

Minervini has overlooked Rubi’s Serve’s first-up defeat in a Wyong Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1350m) last week.

“I was unsure whether to run her or not on the soft track, but it was our last chance to try to make the Final,” he said.

“The draw was against her (she started from barrier 11 in a field of 12) and never got into the race.

“I’ve learnt from past experience that it’s so important to draw well at Wyong.

“Rubi’s Serve pulled up well, and most likely will go to a midweek race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday week.”

Meanwhile, Kembla Grange trainer Anthony Mountney clinched a winning double at Nowra today.

Mountney scored with Dancer’s Delight (Louise Day) as a $2.60 favorite, and The Stars Align (Jean Van Overmeire) at $4.80.

Van Overmeire also won the closer on $2.70 second favorite Spiritualistic for fellow Kembla Grange trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 7, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS