Ocean Park's Tofane Returns To Form

Mark Smith - Saturday October 12

It's what dreams are made of, going to a sale, picking up a winning daughter of the all-conquering Galileo for $23,000, then seeing a three-quarter sister and half-sister come out and win at the highest level, then to top it all off, have a stakes-winning daughter of her own.

At the Inglis sale yards back in 2013, Curraghmore Stud's Gordon Cunningham purchased the Galileo filly Baggy Green fresh off the track, had her covered by Pierro and took her back to New Zealand.

Baggy Green is a three-quarter-sister to Funstar (Adelaide) who last week added the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes to her win in the Group II Tea Rose Stakes, while her half-sister Youngstar won last year's Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks has a stakes-winner in her own right in the Ocean Park filly Tofane.

Advertisement

If you could forgive her miserable last start run in the Group III How Now Stakes and backed her on her win over the future stakes-winner Haut Brion Her at Moonee Valley, then well done you because Tofane was dominant in Saturday's Bass Strait Beef Steaks (1200m) (Northwood Plume Stakes) at Caulfield.

Ridden by Dwayne Dunn, the 4yo daughter of Ocean Park came from near last, engaged in a bumping duel with Gift Of Power, but still won running away by a length over the favourite Manicure (Exceed And Excel) with Sweet Scandal (Sepoy) three-quarter of a length back in third. (image Grant Courtney)


Purchase privately by Ballymore Stables, trainer Mike Moroney was well aware of the significance of her close relations wins.

"Especially with Funstar coming out last week and winning a Group One, she's a very valuable mare now," Moroney said.

A granddaughter of the champion User Friendly (Slip Anchor), Baggy Green had a yearling Pins filly sell for $85,000 in Book 1 at Karaka earlier this year.

Covered by Reliable Man (GB), Baggy Green was sent back to Australia by Kevin Hickman's Valachi Downs where she foaled a colt last spring before being covered by So You Think.

Tofane becomes the fourth stakes-winner for Waikato Stud's Ocean Park who also sired last weekend's Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) winner Kolding (NZ).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Bred Looking to Give Waller The Gong
The lure of a one million purse has been too attractive for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Out of the Park strikes again
Just two months since her purchase off gavelhouse,com, Out of the Park has repaid her $14,000 purchase price and more after striking up two wins and a placing in just four starts.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.