TOFANE HEADS OUR CAULFIELD RUNNERS TODAY

The start of the spring carnival really begins for us today at Caulfield with six runners, headed by Tofane in the feature Memsie Stakes.

It is the last preparation for Tofane before she begins life as a broodmare for Yulong and Mike Moroney is confident she will run well today.

“She’s drawn a lovely barrier and I’m really happy with her, she looks terrific and she has come up well,” Mike said.

“It looks a proper Group One with some speed in it. Ideally we can stay off the rail so she gets a clear run in the home straight and it would be terrific if she can add another Group One race to her record.”

Bankers Choice starts a new campaign along with Buffalo River in the fourth race over 1400 metres.

“He’s had a couple of jumpout and he’ll carry topweight after we claimed on Buffalo River,” Mike said.

“The trip today might be a tad sharp for him but he looks well and has done enough work, I’m just hoping they do run along a bit as he will likely have to go back from his wide draw but if they do then I expect to see him hitting the line strongly.”

“I’ve kept Buffalo River on the fresh side and I think he looks well suited after the claim for Logan McNeil,” Mike said.

“I’d have liked to see him draw in a bit closer but he’ll make his own luck and is good form.

“If he can relax into his rhythm of this soft track then I think he will be hard to beat.”

Not An Option is first-ip in the sixth race over 1100 metres with Patrick Moloney in the saddle.

“He’s really pleased me in the lead up, his work and jump outs have been excellent,” Mike said.

“If the ground dries out a bit it will help him, it might be a touch sharp for him today but with ordinary luck in running I’m expecting him to be hard to beat.”

Emissary and Chapada round out our day in the Heatherlie Stakes over 1700 metres with Jye McNeil aboard Emissary.

“He’s well weighted today and he’s pleased me in his work, he is going really well,” Mike said.

“He looks on the burly side but that’s just him and I’m confident he is fit enough to run well and if the track does firm up during the day then that will suit and I’m expecting a bold showing.”

Chapada runs for the first time after a long break with Daniel Stackhouse to ride.

“He’s been off a while but he’s not showing me he’s rusty on his trackwork,” Mike said. “He’s working with enthusiasm and he’s in good order so I will be happy to see him run well and he’s a definitely a chance to fill a placing.”