Her representation has remained scant ever since, but that has not stopped Hale putting together a remarkable record. In 2010-11, she had nine winners from 29 starts.
In 2016-17, eight wins from just 37 starts, and the season previous, seven wins from 17 starts, an astonishing strike rate of 2.43. That is not achieved by luck alone.
Cooksley has little regard for such statistics. He likes getting out there, getting the job done and getting home. Histrionics are not his bag.
But the 57-year-old's statistics are impressive. He would have more experience at the top of the industry than the remainder of the Tarzino riders combined.
He has 85 wins in Group and Listed races from 799 rides - better than one in 10 through a long career, which is truly remarkable, even though he rode for champion Australian trainer John Hawkes and was the regular go-to rider in big races here for all-time great Colin Jillings.
You know the answer before you ask Cooksley when his last Group 1 victory was.
"No idea. Probably 10 years ago, but don't forget I had a couple of years off with a head injury."
Stats bore him compared to studying form and getting his job right.
No surprise he greeted this win on Saturday with the usual steely-eyed, mistakenly grim face, which earned him the title "The Iceman" in Australia. It's a total misnomer. Get close to Cooksley and you get to see an intense sense of humour, drier than a didgeridoo.
Relaxation and a sense of timing are critical in riding at the top level. There were probably a few nerves among some Tarzino riders in that this was the first Group 1 for four months and the possibility of pressing the go-forward button a fraction early was very real. It almost certainly happened in a couple of instances.
Who came along at exactly the right time to take the prize - Cooksley with his perfect sense of timing and patience.
Watch the race again and marvel at the lack or urgency in the ride.
And how underrated Shelley Hale is as a trainer and how we've occasionally forgotten how good Close Up can be.
And you know the answer before you ask Cooksley the question: 'you must still be enjoying it.'
"Wouldn't be doing it if I wasn't."
No histrionics.
• Ruakaka trainer Donna Logan is firmly of the opinion that the best is yet to come for impressive mare Rockabyebaby who completed a winning treble on her home track on the weekend.
The imposing Rip Van Winkle mare has now won four of her eight starts and is unbeaten in this campaign.
Logan was also delighted with the return of stable star Volkstok'n'barrell who had a decent hit-out in the open 1200 metre race. Logan will now press on to the Gr. 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings on September 23.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
