AKTAU AND TOFANE KICK OFF THEIR SPRING CAMPAIGNS

Aktau and Tofane kick off their spring campaigns at Flemington today.

Tofane (pictured) is the first to go in race four, the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200m, jumping from barrier three with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

The last start Group 1 winner has had three jumpouts to have her ready and Mike Moroney has the daughter of Ocean Park primed to run well first-up.

“I’m happy with her and she’s as forward as I can get her,” Moroney said. “Her last jumpout was really good and she looks excellent in the coat.

“I think tactics will be the key in a small field but she’s won down the straight, she’s fit and ready to go and with ordinary luck I think she can win.”

Aktau is race five, the Open Handicap over 1700m with Jye McNeil again in the saddle and drawn barrier seven.

“He’s had a nice break and is coming into this in good order,” Moroney said.

“He's improved physically and mentally I’d say and he’s going well, I’m really happy with him.

“My one concern is the weather - if we do get the rain and the track gets affected then that will not be ideal, he wasn’t at his best on a soft track at Caulfield last prep.

“If we do have good conditions than I’m expecting him to run well and be hard to beat.”