Tofane is chasing her first Group 1 win in Melbourne when she runs in the Makybe Diva Stakes
Mike Moroney is banking on Tofane getting onto the bigger Flemington circuit being beneficial when she steps out to the mile for the first time.
The Flemington-based Moroney believes Tofane struggled to get around the tighter Caulfield track when placed in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 28 and thinks she is ready to collect her first Melbourne Group 1 victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
But in the back of Moroney’s mind is an awkward draw – barrier seven – and just where the mare may end up in Saturday’s race.
Moroney has always wanted to try Tofane over 1600m believing it to be an ideal journey for the three-time Group 1 winner at 1400m.
“All her good wins have been on big tracks and her Group 1 wins have been at Randwick and Eagle Farm,” Moroney said.
“She did struggle to get around that corner the other day at Caulfield because they were sprinting up at the time and she was the first one off the bit, but she balanced up and ran on when she got out.
“We’ve always wanted to give her a crack at the mile, and she’s certainly bred to get it.
“She’s more relaxed now in her racing and she’s been running through the line over 1400 metres.”
Moroney is worried where the speed may come from in Saturday’s race and whether the mare may get left facing the breeze as she did at Caulfield when third behind South Australian gallopers Behemoth and Beau Rossa.
But Moroney said Tofane had improved out of the Caulfield outing, improved in the coat and had tightened up.
“The big question now is the run she’s going to get in transit,” Moroney said.
“The barrier draw, and the lack of speed in the race has probably not gone our way.
“She’s probably going to have to go forward from that draw, maybe without cover, but hopefully she can get some, but it’s going to be hard from that gate I would think.”
