Emerging sprinter Ice Kool continues to impress, securing another victory at Randwick despite still refining his racecraft.

The three-year-old colt makes his task harder by not reacting promptly to the start and tending to race keenly, yet he consistently moves up through the grades.

His win in Saturday’s Ensure Workplace Risk Solutions Handicap (1000m) marked his fourth success from five starts. Trainer David Pfieffer conceded the horse has some quirks but expressed hope that time and maturity will resolve them.

“He makes it hard for himself. He’s slow out of the gates, and then he had to use himself to muster a bit of speed,” Pfieffer explained. “He’s still ironing out his race craft, and he’s just got to get those one percenters right. When he does that, he’s going to keep improving.

“If he learns to settle and adapt to races when things don’t go to plan, we’ll see a nice horse.”

Ridden by Jay Ford, the $1.50 favourite Ice Kool settled three-wide on the speed and had to be strongly urged by his jockey to overcome his 60kg impost, winning by a half-length from Petticoat ($14). Teylu ($41) finished a long head further back in third.

While this form is considered off-season, Pfieffer believes Ice Kool has the potential to become a carnival contender and plans a short spell for the colt before the spring.

“We might look to give him a let-up and then poke around at carnival time,” he said. “I’m contemplating going to Melbourne because I’m thinking he won’t be in the Concorde (Stakes), The Shorts, the Premiere (Stakes). He’s not at that level yet.

“Testing him down the straight or around Caulfield or Sandown, a few of those races that are second tier stakes races will be nice little targets. Hopefully we’re talking those Sydney lead-up races this time next year.”

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