Kelso Stable Rapt with Legarto's Full-Sister

The search for another stable star has taken an intriguing early step for Ken and Bev Kelso, with well-bred juvenile Latoya winning an 800m Avondale trial on Tuesday and giving the Matamata trainers a first proper glimpse of the ability that sits in her pedigree. The Proisir filly is a sister to Legarto, the Kelsos' five-time Gr1 winner who recently made A$2.8 million at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale, but Ken Kelso is resisting any rush to compare the pair too strongly. He said Latoya is a good doer with "a little bit of sass" and, while there are some similarities to Legarto, she is a smaller version and still very much a work in progress. Her Avondale effort was a clear step forward from her first trial at Waipa, where expectations were higher after Opie Bosson had been working her and jumping her out, only for the filly to be slow away after turning her head in the barriers and then be run off her feet when the heat was quickly run. Kelso said improvement was expected this time and she duly delivered, putting herself on a path towards a possible raceday debut in coming weeks. Finding the right race, however, is not straightforward, and Kelso was critical of the lack of dedicated 2YO opportunities in New Zealand at this stage of the season. He said he had gone through the programme after the trial and could not find a suitable 2YO-only race, adding that he regarded the situation as "totally ridiculous" given juveniles are the future of the industry and should not be forced to meet older horses, particularly on winter tracks. While Latoya gives the stable a fresh family thread to follow, Legarto's sale remains a major recent milestone. Kelso said the mare would receive every chance with Yulong and, after messaging Sam Fairgray, understood the plan was for her to visit Extreme Choice in spring. The stable is also looking towards the new season with several proven horses back in work, headed by Gr1-performed sprinter Alabama Lass, who has returned from a spell after her dramatic King's Plate incident at Ellerslie, where she looked certain to win before ducking through the running rail and dislodging Sam Collett. Kelso said she had put on about 60kg, looked fantastic and appeared physically sound, but no firm plans would be made until she trials in spring. Another tilt at the Gr1 Moir Stakes, in which she was runner-up last year, remains possible. Sarti is expected to progress through the grades, while Levakia, rated 86, could be aimed at races such as the Counties Cup or Queen Elizabeth II Cup, with Kelso believing she is better right-handed. Among the younger team, he has time for Acanthus, the Almanzor half-sister to Feroce, and Themarierose, a Super Seth filly who should appreciate firmer ground, while Ellerslie 2YO winner Stromlinien has also joined the stable and is still in pre-training.

Latoya appears to have inherited smart ability (pic: Trish Dunell)