Cole looking to smart 2YO to continue winning roll

[Wandering Eyes]

The Cody Cole-trained Oneira will contest the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

Cody Cole has already had a week to remember and it could get even better for the Matamata trainer on Saturday.

He will be represented by impressive debut winner Oneira in the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe off the back of celebrating a major result at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

Cole’s well-related five-year-old Aquaoir sold for $470,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was offered by Arrowfield Stud and purchased by the free-spending Yu Long Investments.

“Some black-type on Saturday would top off one of the better weeks in the game,” he said.

Cole prepared Aquaoir to win on two occasions and finished third in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m), having secured her for $100,000 from the draft of breeder Trelawney Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

“I owned 85 per cent of her and bought her as an investment and we leased her out to Social Racing to race with us,” he said.

Cole’s sister Celia and stable vet Ronan Costello also shared in the ownership of Aquaoir.

“My sister works at Arrowfield so that’s why the mare went through their draft and Ronan’s been our vet the whole way through,” he said.

“Arrowfield were pretty much bang on when they said $500,000, give or take, so that was the expectation but we would have been happy with anything over $300,000, which was the reserve.

“She probably made more than I expected, she’s obviously got a good pedigree and it’s a hard family to get into with Trelawney having done so much of the work.”

Aquaoir is a half-sister to the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Loire and the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) winner A Touch Of Ruby.

Their dam Syrah is a daughter of Traditionally and a half-sister to the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) Vouvray.

Cole is now looking forward to Saturday and Oneira’s early tilt at stakes level following the Contributer filly’s success on her home course earlier this month.

“It was a brave effort first time to the races and every trial she had she improved and obviously improved again off that last trial to win first-up,” he said.

“I don’t think the track will be a concern, she’s not a real heavy track horse but she’s got above average ability and she can cop it.

“She’s not completely comfortable, but she can get through it.”

From the family of the Group Two winners Casabella Lane and Kaapeon, Oneira will head to the paddock after Saturday with more black-type opportunities beckoning in the spring.

“She almost went out after Matamata, but we thought this was a good race for her so we’re having a crack,” Cole said.

“She won’t be having a long break and we’d like to aim for Hawke’s Bay and hopefully kick off in the El Roca Trophy (Listed, 1200m) or the Gold Trail Stakes (Group 3, 1200m) if she’s going well enough.”

More New Zealand horse racing news

View the full article