ONE COOL DADDY made his belated debut last night at Kempton a winning one under a strong, positive ride from stable apprentice Jack Duern.
The 3yo son of Scat Daddy was drawn out in the proverbial car park, 12 of 12 but Jack, who was claiming three pounds, soon had the horse in a handy position and the pair were disputing the lead after two furlongs in this mile novice event.
Leading three furlongs from home, One Cool Daddy kicked for home and after being challenged by previous winner Burrambeet and then headed by the four-year-old, the 14/1 shot fought back under a forceful ride by Jack to regain the lead and win by half a length. It was one and a half lengths back to the hot favourite, Mandalayan.
A 95,000 guineas purchase at the breeze-ups, One Cool Daddy (seen pictured today with stable lass, Courtney Eggleton) has always shown ability but he has had his problems and indeed was quite a sick horse a few months back, so this was a very creditable performance. Congratulations to owners, Michael and Heather Yarrow, who have been very patient but had their just rewards, winning what looks like an above average novice event. The race had previous winners and had some strength in depth. It looks sure to be a race which throws up its fair share of winners.
Harper Lodge Farm has made not only a good start to 2018 but it has had the best ever start to a year, as we head into the new turf season this Saturday at Doncaster. One Cool Daddy was the yard’s 12th winner of the year to date. The previous best for the first three months of the year was 11 in 2016 but this has been beaten with ten days to go.