The secret to L L Cool Jay’s success revealed

Farrier work has been the big key to success for Queensland’s latest harness racing star L L Cool J.

A hoof abscess appeared just as he was transferred to Vicki Rasmussen’s stable but that has not stopped him from producing a track record-breaking performance at Redcliffe as well as claiming last night’s $50,700 Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup in his last two starts.

Reinsman Shane Graham does do most of the farrier work for Rasmussen’s stable but is not taking all the credit for getting L L Cool J back on track.

“I do most of the shoeing but we’ve been getting help from Mark Vanderkemp who has just come back from the US . . . they call him Rambo and he’s done a great job with this horse,” said Graham.

“L L Cool J had a foot issue with a big abscess blowing out when we got him and Rambo had to cut some of his hoof away and has done a great job to fix it.”

L L Cool J has had four starts in Rasmussen’s care for three wins and a second placing, with Graham at the reins each time.

And after last night’s feature success, the lightly-raced five-year-old has proven that he is ready to take the next step.

L L Cool J was away safely from the standing start and led throughout the 2613m feature, beating Feelinfgforarainbow and Colt Thirty One in a rate of 2:00.7. Watch the replay here.

“Our main worry was if he would step away as he only had one start from the stand before in New Zealand,” said Graham.

“We weren’t worried about the distance, we were confident in all other aspects.

“He stepped away really well and put in a top run.

“That was his third week of racing in-a-row and he’s still on the way up.

“He pulled up great . . . we got home at 11pm and by 6am he had licked his bowl clean.

“He doesn’t mind his food, he’s a bit like me,” joked Graham.

L L Cool J has earned a little freshen-up following this performance.

“The owners are pretty keen to go in the big races up here so he will miss a week and then The Blacks A Fake will be his main target,” said Graham.

“The owners spoke to us about the Inter Dominion and I think he will measure up to that grade eventually but maybe not this year.

“He has all the right attributes, he can stay and has speed as well.”

L L Cool J has had 30 starts for 14 wins and nine placings.

He is a son of A Rocknroll Dance out of the Live Or Die mare Alesandra Ambrosio.

Meanwhile, other feature race winners at Redcliffe last night included Shes Miss Devine in the $21,700 Redcliffe Oaks, Krug in the $21,700 Redcliffe Derby and Teddy Disco in the $100,750 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series Final.

To see all of the results click here.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink