Three of the most prominent names in New Zealand thoroughbred racing had cross code success last Friday when pacer Captain Moonlight (NZ) (Always B Miki) scored his maiden victory at Alexandra Park.

The three-year-old gelding carries the silks of Pencarrow Stud and New Zealand Bloodstock principal Sir Peter Vela, who shares in the ownership of the horse with Daniel Nakhle and Greg Tomlinson, who operates under his Nearco Stud banner.

The trio decided to join forces at Karaka two years ago at NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale and entrusted northern horseman Brent Mangos to select them a standardbred to race.

Mangos set his sights on lot 89, the Always B Miki colt out of Miss Moonlite Shadow (NZ) (Christian Cullen), the dam of Group Three performer Ranger Bomb (NZ) (Sportswriter) and stakes performer Mighty Mr Sharkey (NZ) (Four Starzzz Shark), and went to $38,000 to secure him.

The colt was subsequently named Captain Moonlight and he was initially placed in the care of Canterbury trainer Hayden Cullen, for whom he placed in two of his three starts as a juvenile.

Following a spell, he transferred to the country’s leading stable of Steve and Amanda Telfer earlier this year, and joined their South Auckland operation.

He placed in a further three races for the brother-sister combination before breaking through for his maiden success in the Have Your Christmas Party At Alex Park Mobile Pace (2200m) last Friday, much to the delight of Steven Telfer.

“He has been knocking on the door for a few starts and it was good to see him put his foot in the till,” he said.

“It was a good effort. He had a week to 10 days off after his last race just to freshen-up. He progressed well and then the trials got cancelled with the wet weather, but he had been working well enough to take him to the races.

“The small field made things a little bit easier. It was just good to get that win for the owners, their colours are very well known.”

Captain Moonlight has made a good impression on Telfer, who believes he will be a lot better with time.

“He is a nice, big, kind horse and he has got a bit of speed. I don’t think it will be his last win, he has got a bit of a future,” he said.

That next win could come as soon as next Friday, with Captain Moonlight set to return to Alexandra Park to try and replicate his last-start deeds.

“He just needs a bit of racing and ringcraft,” Telfer said. “There is a suitable race next Friday or the week after at Auckland. We will just tick away through the grades at this stage and let him furnish.”