Ancroft Stud have not been short of top-quality fillies in recent years, and on Friday at Tauranga, Matamata trainer Cody Cole will kick off the career of another future prospect in Luna Star.
Luna Star will be Cole’s first representative for the Philip and Catherine Brown-owned operation, with their colours made prominent with superstar mares Levante and Legarto, who have accumulated seven Group One victories collectively in the care of Ken and Bev Kelso.
Passed in as a yearling at Karaka, Luna Star made her way to Cole’s stable, an idea that was sparked after he prepared another Ancroft youngster to sell on.
“I actually had a horse for them that we sold, and instead of the commission, I asked if they would give me a filly to train at some stage if they find the right one,” Cole said.
“The first one didn’t make it to the races, she just had a few too many issues, but this was the replacement. I’m very grateful to get her, she’s out of a good, proven mare and by Almanzor. She’s got a nice pedigree and is a beautiful type.
“She’s probably just taken a wee while to mature up physically and we’re not going to see the best of her until next season, but if she can run a nice race for her first start, she’ll take good improvement out of the experience.
“She’s got a future, it’s just whether we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see it.”
Luna Star will take her place on debut in the Duncan Dental Maiden (1200m), which will also feature her Cambridge Stud-owned stablemate Power Of Three.
After starting her career in Victoria, the Yes Yes Yes filly made a positive start for Cole at Rotorua, finishing third to promising type Adelante.
“It was a super kick-off point, she didn’t have much form on the board in Australia, but I think that was maturity more than anything,” he said.
“Now that she’s had a bit of time and coping with her training, as they did have issues keeping weight on her over there, she looks like a winner waiting to happen.
“She was vulnerable fitness-wise there and the surface was probably a bit firmer than what she wanted, but she’s come through it well and worked well this morning (Tuesday).
“She’s an improver off her first run and if she can a bit of luck from the gate, she can feature in the finish.”
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