TOFANE READY TO RESUME

Last Saturday’s unfortunate accident for Dwayne Dunn has been a blessing for one champion jockey now set to take over in the saddle aboard the high-class mare Tofane.

Damien Oliver will now ride Tofane in Saturday’s Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality down the straight 1200m and it was not a difficult decision for connections to make as Mike Moroney explained.

“Obviously it’s disappointing for Dwayne with what happened on Saturday and we all wish him a speedy recovery but it was a fairly easy choice to make,” Moroney said.

“Ollie knows the mare - he actually rode her in her first three starts and won her Maiden at Ballarat so we won’t have any worries on that score. He’s ridden Group 1 winners for us and we’ve always had a good relationship.”

The last start winner of the Group 1 All Aged Stakes will be first-up on Saturday and is now a fully mature five-year-old mare according to Moroney.

“She’s come back stronger for sure - she coped with the trip away in the Autumn without any issues and I could not be happier with the way she is training.

“She’s had three 800m jump outs to have her ready for Saturday, each one progressively more serious and last Friday she was strong through the line breaking 48 seconds having travelled wide so she is ready to go.”

Moroney still harbours hopes of a return to Sydney and gaining a berth to run in the $15 million The Everest at Randwick next month.

“We’ve made no secret of our desire to run her in the race and the way things are shaping up I’d say she deserves a place,” Moroney said.

“She’s already a Group 1 winner at Randwick, she ran well there in the T J Smith against the likes of Nature Strip, Santa Ana Lane and Redzel and she beat Gytrash home in Adelaide last year so her credentials certainly stack up.

“We have had a couple of slot holders that have been monitoring what we are doing si I'm sure they will be watching her this weekend."

Tofane is set to carry 57.5kg in Saturday’s race under handicap conditions.

“She carried 57 (kg) to win the All Aged at weight-for-age which is the supreme test and as I say, she’s a stronger mare now so it’s exciting to have back at the races,” Moroney said.

“If we don’t get to The Everest there’s the Gilgai Stakes for her here and the rest of the spring so plenty to look forward to with her.”