Trainer Cliff Smith has advised supporters to dismiss Coolism’s last-start performance and believes the eight-year-old can bounce back and atone in the perthracing.com.au Handicap (1300m) at Belmont Park on Wednesday.
Coolism blotted his recent good form when he beat just one runner home to finish 10th of 11 behind Inok at Belmont Park last Saturday week, but there genuine reasons for his failure.
Coolism, with one win and four placings from his previous six appearances, enjoyed no luck in running when he wanted to over race early before getting trapped wide from the 800m for jockey Hayley Diener.
“I thought there would be some pace on early and from the draw I told Hayley to go back and get some cover and work into the race from the 600m,” said Smith on Racing Radio’s Big Breakfast.
“But they ran the first 600m in 37sec before whizzing home in 34sec and when you are back in the field travelling deep you haven’t got much chance.
“He still ran home in good time when he was off the track for most of the way.
“It wasn’t a bad run in the circumstances.”
Coolism, who has been in work since earlier in April, has drawn ideally in barrier one for apprentice jockey Jordan Mallyon.
“I think there is some nice pace with the likes of Cobble Lane where he can take a sit behind the leaders,” said Smith.
“That will be the instructions to Jordan who replaces Hayley who is not riding this week.
“Hopefully he can tuck in behind the speed.
“He has ridden a couple of our horses recently and has done well.”