Cool Gent sparks Guineas dream for Barling

By Jordan Gerrans

After a promising second-up performance in wet conditions in late October, Caloundra trainer Adam Barling is eager to plot a path towards the rich Magic Millions Guineas with the progressive Cool Gent.

Cool Gent was one of the surprise packets of the 2026 winter campaign as the two-year-old caused an upset in the Listed Oxlade Stakes at Eagle Farm in the middle of June at huge odds.

It was a significant breakthrough for young horseman Barling to land a victory at that level during the prestigious carnival period in the Sunshine State.

At just 36 years of age, Barling is now forging his own path in racing after previously training in partnership with his father Shane, while also being the long-term offsider of respected conditioner Liam Birchley.

Cool Gent was strong to the line over 1200 metres in three-year-old company at Eagle Farm in his latest outing and Barling thinks the gelding can make the grade in the Guineas early in 2027.

“He heads back to Eagle Farm on the seventh of November, then he will go to a race on Sunshine Coast Cup day later in the month,” Barling said.

“Then he will go to the paddock for a short let-up and back for the lead-ups to head into the Guineas.

“Following his second-up run, he is still not at his top and has plenty of improvement this prep. You have just got to place a horse where they can win. And, obviously, he does have good ability.

“He does love to get his toe in the ground, which is a bonus if we can go on some wet tracks.

“Later in the prep, on his home turf with a sting out of the track, I think he'd be really hard to beat.

“If he does hold together nicely until then, we'll be having to throw at the stumps in the Guineas.”

Cool Gent was purchased for just $9,000.

He was nominated in the two-year-old Horse of the Year category at the 2026 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.

Looking back on it all, Barling says he would have been chuffed to just win a QTIS maiden with his youngster, let alone what he has gone on to achieve.

For the Sunshine Coast horseman, considering a shot at the Guineas against some of the biggest barns in Australia is an achievement in itself.

Before the son of Winning Rupert came along, the Barling camp was winless dating back to April of 2023.

When Saturday Glory won at Gatton more than three years ago, Barling was training in partnership with his father Shane.

Now 71 years of age, Shane has taken his name off the Barling partnership and Adam is training solo.

The father-and-son team were still together when Cool Gent achieved his career-best victory in the middle of this year, which Barling says was a perfect way to send his old man out.

Shane has since slipped into retirement.

“My father's trained harness and thoroughbreds for a long time, it would be over 45 years,” Barling said.

“And, as a kid growing up, he always tried to turn me towards going to get a full-time job, to keep away from the horses, but eventually, I just couldn't help myself.

“We came into a partnership; we trained as hobbyists and floated a few around the bush. I got the itch to want to do it a little bit more.

“He'd taken a backward step and his name was still on the training partnership when Cool Gent won in town earlier this year.

“To have that as our last hurrah together, it was actually probably one of the best things that's happened to me.

“He taught me a lot in those early stages, probably more to be a horseman, rather than to be a horse trainer.

“It's something that you need to take along with you. So, once you can look at a horse, know what it needs, it makes the job a hell of a lot easier.

“He's taught me to do a lot myself. It can be a lot more hands-on rather than paying other people to do things for you. Really get a touch of the horse. That's the main thing.

“Look at what's in front of you, be patient and just observe. The one-percenters, just that sort of thing.”

When he was training on his own earlier in his career, Shane prepared a galloper named Patties Mate, who won 17 races from 118 starts, which included victories right across the Sunshine State.

Barling’s father Shane has been one of his close mentors, as has leading trainer Birchley.

Barling has been an assistant trainer to Birchley in recent years as the astute judge of young horses has rebuilt his stable at the Sunshine Coast.

“I have learnt a lot off Liam,” he said.

“I met him probably 10 years ago when I started working for him and he became my mentor and also probably a good close friend in the same time. He's taught me a lot.

“And, obviously, training with my father beforehand, you get to know the ropes, but going on with someone else, it's good to get new ideas and put those into play.

“And, those combined together, I think they've really benefited me.

“So, with Liam, it's probably more so to be patient, don't buy off pedigree, buy off type, buy the athlete, look for a horse that looks like it's going to run and usually they will.

“And, obviously, they'll do the rest if you buy the right product.”

Following his father’s advice, Barling completed an apprenticeship as a carpenter before going to work in the mines at Gladstone, then returning to the racing game soon after.

The emerging trainer is hoping his stable will not be a one-trick pony with Cool Gent and has some other talented gallopers at his disposal.

“I've got another Winning Rupert that I bought for the same ownership group as Cool Gent,” he said.

“He's just kicking off now. He's just been named Stryke It Cool.

“He'll kick off and have a few jump-outs and so forth and head to the paddock. He looks like a nice, promising two-year-old. I've got another three-year-old, Urban Reality.

“He is about to kick off for his preparation, as well. He looks like he's got a bit of ability, which is always good.”

As he usually does, Barling says his boss Birchley has an exciting crop of babies that he will present over the coming weeks and months.