GROUP RUNNERS FOR US TODAY

Tofane, Yatton and Nerve Not Verve are our Saturday runners at Doomben and Flemington.

Tofane (pictured) runs in race eight, the Group 3 BRC Sprint over 1350m where she will be ridden once again by Opie Bosson.

It is the second start this preparation for the five-year-old who finished seventh in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over 1200m at Randwick last month.

Mike Moroney gave Tofane a 1000m barrier trial at Doomben last week and says he is happy with the way she is training.

“I thought her last run was a pass mark,” Moroney said. “Over 1200m was just a bit short, that is why we have decided to go a bit further before we make our minds up with her entered in the broodmare sale up here on the Gold Coast nest week.

“A decision will be made after she runs on Saturday, that’s why we are running her in this race, to get a bit of a line on her but If I was to take a guess now, I would say she will race on next season.”

Moroney believes Tofane will be hard to beat, despite her 60kg impost.

“She looks great and her work has been really good, we couldn’t be happier with her,” he said.

“We know she is not well in at the weights. If she is anywhere near her best, she will be pretty hard to beat, even with the weight.”

Yatton runs in the following race at Doomben, the Group 2 Roses Stakes over 2000m with Ben Thompson aboard and jumping from barrier 11.

“She worked nicely during the week and is thriving, she looks super and definitely has the ability to be a chance in a race like this,” Moroney said.

“She’s up here foe the Oaks so she has to show me today she’s worth her place. I know she’s got the ability to be a major chance, she just needs that luck in running and I’m sure she’s good enough to win a race like this- hopefully it can be today.”

At home at Flemington we have Nerve Not Verve in the last race of the day, the benchmark 84 handicap over 1800m with Fred Kersley in the saddle from barrier 10 in the 16-horse field of three-year-old fillies.

“The draw is a little awkward and we’ll be dictated to by how the track is racing,” Moroney said.

“We’ll likely have to go back in what does look a strong race - i’d be anticipating it will be a truly run race so that gives her a chance as a backmarker.

“She’s going well and will improve for this run and I’ll be pleased to see her running on at the finish.”