Ocean Park's Tofane Chasing More G1 Success

Media Release - Friday August 27

Flemington trainer Michael Moroney admits he is in unchartered waters with triple Group One winning mare ToOcean Park;s Tofane Chasing fane, who is set to contest the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) fresh-up at Caulfield on Saturday.

Tofane resumes from a spell on Saturday .

The New Zealand-bred daughter of Ocean Park has never won first-up in five attempts but has had a shorter break than usual following a fruitful Queensland campaign that netted Group One wins in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Tatt’s Tiara (1400m).

“Getting her ready to go 1400m off a short break has been a bit different,” Moroney said.

“She has usually had long breaks and at times we have only given her one jumpout and gone to 1000m first-up.

“This time she has had two jumpouts and I have done a bit of work with her in between. She has some residual fitness from her Queensland campaign and she is already there in the coat and looks great.

“We know that her first-up record is not that good, but this is a totally different scenario and it is going to be of interest.”

Moroney takes great heart from jockey Craig Williams electing to partner the high-class six-year-old, given he had the option to ride key rival Behemoth.

Never tried beyond 1400m, Tofane is likely to be stretched in distance this campaign and holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Moroney will also saddle former Kiwi gallopers Nerve Not Verve and Milford at Caulfield on Saturday, with the pair at opposite ends of their preparations.

Six-year-old mare Nerve Not Verve is starting to fulfil her staying potential, with the half-sister by Shocking to Auckland Cup winner Glory Days, set to contest a 2400m handicap after running well for third over 2500m at Moonee Valley last week.

“I have always wanted to get her out in trip as she is really bred to stay,” Moroney said.

“This is possibly her last run this time around, because I do think she is up to black-type next preparation.

“She was narrowly beaten in the Centaurea (Listed 2030m) and since then things haven’t quite gone her way.

“I think next time back in, now that we know she will run-up to her breeding and get a mile and a half, she is a good chance of getting that bold black type.”

Advertisement

Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) placegetter Milford steps out for the first time for Moroney, with the son of Savabeel fresh-up over 1400m.

Previously with Stephen Marsh, Milford has been gelded since two below par efforts in Sydney in the autumn.

“He’s a well credentialed horse. I saw him in Sydney and he was pretty colty and hence he was taken home to New Zealand and gelded,” Moroney said.

“His work has been good and his trials have been really good. We are going to take the blinkers off him and start from scratch a wee bit. He meets a pretty tough field on Saturday but has drawn nicely (5) and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran really well.”

The four-year-old is nominated for all of the spring majors including the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

“As to whether he gets that sort of trip, I’m not sure. He is bred to be a mile and a quarter horse more than a Cup horse, but that is something we will find out this preparation,” Moroney said.

Meanwhile, recent recruit Not An Option, who has transferred from Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, has pleased since arriving with Moroney.

“Not An Option went really well in his jumpout last week. He has only had a short break, a little bit like Tofane,” Moroney said.

“He is lovely as a colt to handle. He has settled into his new environment really well. He will probably be seen in a fortnight’s time over 1400m.

“He is a bit of an awkward one given that he is just off being able to make the field for some of the stakes races, given he is not that highly rated.

“There is a Listed race for him (The Sofitel) and if he doesn’t make the field, we’d look at a ratings race at Sandown.

“He looks a nice horse and I am really happy with the way he is going.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.