Trainer Mike Moroney has placed a lot of faith in a member of his staff as Tofane chases a second Group 1 win in Brisbane.
Lilly Miller has been looking after the two-time Group 1 winner in Brisbane and Moroney said Tofane was in excellent order ahead of the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Moroney last laid eyes on Tofane prior to her win in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12, but has kept in touch via videos and photos.
“We get bloods (results) sent to us and that sort of thing and I think most trainers are used to having things like this happen every now and then,” Moroney told RSN
Moroney was unable to travel to Brisbane because of the COVID lockdown in Melbourne, but can now travel to see the mare in the flesh.
He said Miller had a bond with Tofane that dates back to when the mare won the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick last year.
“When you are away on a one-on-one situation, or with a small team like that, you do get close to them,” Moroney said.
“The chiropractor rang me out of the blue and said ‘I want to let you know your horse is absolutely magnificent and that girl is doing a great job’.
“She puts her heart into it.”
Tofane is back to mares’ company on Saturday after her Stradbroke victory and rises 2.5kg under the weight-for-age conditions.
Moroney does not see the weight rise as a hindrance, but is wary of the class Tofane is up against.
“It’s certainly a good race,” Moroney said.
“There’s Savatiano, which was just beaten in the All-Aged Stakes, which we won the year before, so that’s pretty strong form.
“Then you’ve got the Thousand Guineas winner (Odeum) and there’s Brooklyn Hustle that has always looked a Group 1 horse.”
