Noonan keeps cool at Caulfield

Champion apprentice Jake Noonan crept closer to a career milestone with his win yesterday on Keep Cool in the Champagne Pommery Handicap at Caulfield.

Noonan’s latest success took to 76 his metropolitan tally, four shy of outriding his city claim.

While Noonan’s apprenticeship ends at the end of March, he is considering asking for an extension given he missed seven months following a heavy fall in 2011.

Noonan said Keep Cool travelled sweetly in the run and as far out as the 600 metre mark he thought the Danny O’Brien trained horse would prove hard to beat.

And, that’s how it panned out as Keep Cool, $6, opened up to win by two lengths from Bells Of Troy, backed from $12 to $9, with a short head to Whisper Downs, $6, third.

Now And Zen, the $4 favourite, disappointed. After finding the front and bowling at his leisure, Now And Zen found little in the run home as he compounded to finish sixth.

O’Brien said Keep Cool’s form had been franked by Tuscan Fire, who reeled off a string of wins since his win at Flemington last month.

“He went to another level last start and he maintained if again today,” O’Brien said.

Story by Adrian Dunn, to view full Racing Network story click here

Photo by Slickpix, to view Slickpix's website click here