TOFANE RESUMES IN THE MEMSIE STAKES TODAY

Tofane is one of six runners for us at Caulfield on Saturday as starts her spring campaign bidding for another Group 1 victory in today’s Memsie Stakes.

The six-year-old has had a shorter break than usual following a fruitful Queensland campaign that netted Group One wins in the Stradbroke Handicap and Tatt’s Tiara over today’s distance of 1400m however, Mike Moroney is confident Tofane is in similar form.

“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 I think she will be hard to beat.”

Poland commences his spring campaign in race five, the Heath Stakes over 1100m with Jordan Childs in the saddle.

“I’m very happy with the way he has prepared for this,” Moroney said.

“He’s not suited by the conditions but this race fitted into the schedule we wanted.

“He’s stronger this time in, looks great and off what looks like being a strongly run race I’m sure he will run well.”

English King runs in race seven, the Heatherlie Stakes over 1700m with Jye McNeil riding. It is the second start in Australia for the high-class import.

“He’s still pretty burly to look at and he’s probably one jump out behind and will take a lot of improvement in him,” Moroney said.

“I need to get him going as I don’t want to be further behind. That said I’d say his class will take him a long way and it’s good to get him on track and get some more practice ahead of hopefully bigger races later on.”

Nerve Not Verve is in race one, 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, being bt Shocking and a half-sister to an Auckland Cup winner,” 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.”

Barthelona kicks off another campaign in race two over 1100m with Thomas Stockdale aboard.

“He’s had a long break due to a lot of niggling things,” Moroney said.

“Strictly speaking he will need the run today but he’s such a good horse fresh and his work on Tuesday was particularly sharp.

“The wide draw is not ideal but they only have one turn and he’s capable of running well with his terrific fresh record.”

New Zealand Derby placegetter Milford steps out for the first time for us, with the son of Savabeel first-up in race nine over 1400m with Michael Dee aboard.

Previously with Stephen Marsh, Milford has been gelded since two lacklustre 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've taken the blinkers off him and start from scratch a wee bit.

“He meets a pretty tough field on Saturday but has drawn nicely in five and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran really well.”