TOFANE HEADS OUR SATURDAY RUNNERS

Star mare Tofane heads our home team when she bids for another Group 1 victory in today’s Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

It is the first time over 1600 metres for Tofane (pictured) however, Mike Moroney believes it will suit the daughter of Ocean Park, particularly on her home track.

“I’m happy with her, she’s tightened up a little bit from her first-up run and I’m glad she’s out to the 1600m which I think she is looking for now as a six-year-old,” Mike said.

“Her work has been good but the one concern I have is the awkward barrier and the wind. She could end up having to be closer rather than be posted wide and ideally you don’t want to be running into the wind which could prove a factor if it gets any stronger.

“If she can relax for Craig I’m sure she will be in the finish.”

Asteroidea is the first to go for us today in race four, the Listed Cap d’Antibes Stakes over the straight 1100m with Patrick Moloney aboard and drawn one from the outside in barrier 11.

“I can’t fault her and her work has been excellent,” Moroney said.

“She has trialled down the straight course previously which will stand her in good stead.

“The 1100 metres might prove a tad short for her but if you go on her trackwork then I’m confident she will run well in what does look a strong race,”

High-class New Zealand colt Not An Option has his first start for us in race five, the Listed Sofitel over 1400m with Patrick Moloney in the saddle but drawn the outside barrier.

“The plan is to let the speed go and ideally settle midfield with cover,” Moroney said.

“If the wind strengthens it will definitely be a factor.

“I’m very happy with the horse, his work and jumpouts have been good and with a little bit of luck I think he can be right in the finish.”

Milford rounds out the day for us in the last race, the open handicap over 1700m with Daniel Stackhouse in the saddle.

“He’s come on for the first-up run and I’ve put the blinkers back on to help him get away with them,” Moroney said.

“He’s drawn to get a nice run from barrier three with some cover from the wind.

“If he can jump away with them and gets the right run I can see him running well at a big price.”