Cool Intelligence warms up for Northern Jewel

By Glenn Davis

Sunshine Coast trainer Tom Button will give promising filly Cool Intelligence her first look at Mackay on Tuesday ahead of a return trip for the $100,000 QTIS Northern Jewel on May 29.

Cool Intelligence will be out to maintain her unbeaten record for Button in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1100 metres.

The daughter of Nicconi was originally trained by Toby Edmonds and son Trent at the Gold Coast, but was transferred to Button after eight starts.

However, Button struck immediate success with Cool Intelligence when she won on debut over 1200 metres in Maiden company at the Sunshine Coast last month.

“She’s only had one start for me and won quite well at the Sunshine Coast,” Button said.

“She had good form for Toby leading into her first run for me and she raced up to what she had done previously.

“If she runs well, I’m looking at running her in the Northern Jewel over 1300 metres at Mackay at the end of the month.

“It’s a nice race for her and is worth $60,000 to the winner.”

Button has no other major plans in mind with Cool Sequence.

“The owners sent her to me so she could be placed in easier races than in Brisbane,” he said.

“She’ll be set for QTIS races this preparation until they run out on August 1.”

Button has named the Mick Bannon-trained Gamboa as the main threat to Cool Intelligence. 

Gamboa was originally trained in Melbourne by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace but was moved on after four starts.

The son of Not A Single Doubt was then transferred to Bannon's daughter Trinity and was unbeaten at his first four starts at Townsville and Mackay before a last start second to Star Of O’reilly in a 1200-metre Class 4 at Mackay last month.

“Gamboa looks a smart horse and is the one we have to beat,” Button said.

“It won well in Mackay two starts back and looks a fast horse around the Mackay track.”