Cult Perth galloper King Kool Kat gave his legion of fans plenty to cheer about when he scored a magnificent win in Saturday’s Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont.
After being narrowly beaten at his previous run in the Group Three Belmont Sprint, King Kool Kat bounced back to his brilliant best with an impressive victory.
The spritely seven-year-old sat just behind the leader Impressive Jeuney in third place for much of the race before switching off that mare’s heels to race up to her and after a challenge he drew clear to win well.
King Kool Kat is one of the most popular gallopers in Perth and his trainer Ian Glading was the proudest man in the Belmont mounting yard following the race.
“I’m really pleased,” Glading said. “It was a great ride from Duncan – he did everything right and the race panned out beautifully.”
“I love the horse. There’s a lot of people who’ve worked on behind the scenes.”
“He’s got a huge following. I don’t know if people realise but he’s got his own Facebook page now – it’s not something I’m into – but he’s on Facebook.”
“The following the horse has got is quite amazing. We went away to Mandurah the other week and we had people coming up to us at a bar down there asking about him.”
“Everywhere we go people are asking how the horse is – how he’s going. It’s an honour and privilege having a horse like him.”
“It’s been a great ride and it’s a thrill being here.”
“He’s as honest as the day is long,” he added. “I think most people on course last start thought he’d won but it’s a bit of an odd angle here.”
“We managed to get one back today which is very nice.”
“He’ll be here in a couple of weeks again for the 2000 metre race. The distance won’t worry him at all. He’s been placed at 2200 metres behind Guyno.”
“He’ll then have a break and I’ll have a break and then we’ll look at Kalgoorlie.”
Last year at the Kalgoorlie Carnival, King Kool Kat won the famous Hannan’s Handicap – his first stakes race success.
What an incredible money spinner King Kool Kat has been for connections.
He was purchased from the draft of Emerald Thoroughbreds at the 2005 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for just $9,000.
Glading took a shine to him – he bought him and now he’s reaping the rewards with his current earnings soaring to well over $650,000.
At the post in yesterday’s Group Three feature, King Kool Kat ($5) pulled clear to beat the gallant mare Impressive Jeuney ($14) by three parts of a length.
The favourite Grand Nirvana ($1.90 fav) battled into third place, a further length and three quarters behind the runner up.
King Kool Kat is a son of South Australian based sire King Cugat and is from from the six time winning mare Affaire en Or.
Successful at distances from 1100 to 2000 metres, Affaire en Or is by Dieu d’Or and is a half sister to the five time winner and VRC Oaks runner-up Manang.
King Kool Kat’s third dam, the unraced Great Nephew mare Great-Grandaughter, is a half sister to Eight Carat – the dam of Group One winners including Octagonal, Diamond Lover, Kaapstad, Marquise and Mouawad.
Other stakes winners in the pedigree include Poseidon, Jalmoon, Toy Warrior, Habibti, Knesset and St. Klaire.
Winner: King Kool Kat
Breeding: King Cugat-Affaire en Or (Dieu d’Or)
Race: WATC Hyperion Stakes G3 (1600m)
Sold for: $9,000
Sale: 2005 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Emerald Thoroughbreds
Buyer: Ian Glading
Earnings: $659,995
Owner(s): Mr CJ Williams, Mr PJ O’Neill, Mr BK Mack, Miss SM Ibbotson, Mr JJ Shonis & Mrs SM Glading
Trainer: Ian Glading
