MINERVINI’S “COOL” RESULT TWO DAYS ON END
FATE has a habit of sometimes delivering in the strangest of ways!
Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini had loaded He’s Cool on to the float to run him at Gosford last Thursday when he got “word” that the meeting was in danger of being abandoned after heavy rain hit the track in the morning.
It was called off – and it turned out to be a godsend.
Minervini the following morning then nominated He’s Cool for today’s Wyong meeting, knowing full well that his Rubick five-year-old was very partial to the track.
Lo and behold, He’s Cool added to his Wyong record (his three career wins have been there) when he took the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1000m) at only his second start this campaign.
And whilst Minervini was understandably thrilled with the victory, he couldn’t believe the gelding’s $51 starting price.
“Unreal,” he said en route home this evening.
“Barrier two and J Collett to ride, and he loves Wyong.
“I thought he should have been no more than $6 or $8.”
Under Collett’s guidance, He’s Cool stormed over the top of his rivals to easily defeat fellow Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle’s Emalyn ($3.60) and Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard’s Charlina ($5.50).
“I can’t explain why He’s Cool races so well at Wyong,” Minervini said.
“He resumed at home over 900m and that was too short for him, and 1200m seems too far.
“But somewhere in between such as the 1000m at Wyongtoday at his favorite track is perfect.
“Jason (Collett) was quite impressed with him, so hopefully we can win another one with him, perhaps even at another track.”
Minervini’s success with He’s Cool, a $40,000 buy at his native Adelaide’s Magic Millions yearling sale in 2023, completed a huge couple of days for him.
He also scored with former Godolphin gelding Hanau, ridden by Newcastle apprentice Will Stanley, at Warwick Farm yesterday at $31.
“Hanau was perfectly suited on the soft ground, and he likes Warwick Farm (where he also won earlier in the year),” Minervini said.
“Though he won in Sydney at Canterbury as a younger horse on a heavy track just before I bought him last year, he is definitely best on the soft.”
Minervini is eyeing a supporting race at Illawarra Turf Club’s The Gong metropolitan meeting on November 21, especially as Hanau is part-owned by former ITC chairman Barry Vandenbergh and his wife Marie.
“Hanau won a Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1400m yesterday, and there’s a similar race for him at The Gong meeting,” Minervini said.
“I’m sure Barry and Marie will get a real kick out of seeing their horse race there on the club’s biggest day.”
. Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup edged closer to a career 500 winners when he took the closer at Wyong with a real hotpot.
Starting at $1.30, Blue Eyed Brigid gave him his 498th success when she overpowered Wyong trainer Damien Lane’s Wealthy Investor ($31) in the closing stages of the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1625m).
Sydney premiership front-runner Zac Lloyd didn’t panic when Blue Eye Brigid was held up for clear galloping room on the inside before the home turn, but extricated her into the clear on straightening and she really warmed up just as WealthyInvestor had gained what appeared to be a winning break.
“Blue Eyed Brigid was short enough, but did look the winner beforehand,” Widdup said.
A $110,000 purchase at the 2024 Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne, Blue Eye Brigid is raced by Widdup’s major client, Mike Gregg’s Mulberry.
“It’s been good to win a couple of races (Bondi Blossom scored at Kembla Grange last Saturday) for Mike as he celebrated a birthday last weekend,” Widdup said.
“I tried Blue Eyed Brigid over 2200m at Warwick Farm last December without success, and it might be time to stretch her out again.
“She ran second over 1800m at Hawkesbury before the Warwick Farm race.”
Widdup is thrilled with the progress of his eight times winner Jedibeel, who will resume in the Listed The Warra (1000m) at The Gong meeting after undergoing throat surgery earlier this year.
“Jedibeel has trialled twice and is going great,” he said. “He will have a third trial leading into The Warra.”
. HOOFNOTE: Minervini doesn’t have a runner tomorrow (Friday), so he can’t make it a hat-trick three days in a row.
But he has three runners – debutante Funky Fun, a resuming Hidden Star, and last start winner Howzat Harry – at his home track on Saturday.
STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 29, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS
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