Michael Moroney’s class mare Tofane was brilliant fresh with an all-the-way victory in the Group 1 $750,000 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield to kick off her swansong racing campaign in style.
Tofane was brilliant fresh winning the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) during her swansong campaign. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Winner of the winter’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Taira over the same distance in Brisbane, the six-year-old daughter of Ocean Park has been the picture of consistency for the stable and continued that first-up in the year’s opening Group 1 race.
Good out, Tofane dominated the field from the front and never looked in doubt thanks to a confident ride from the returning Mark Zahra.
“She came out this morning and looked really on her game,” Moroney told Racing.com post-victory.
“It was a really good ride by Mark.
“We were left in front and it was a good front running ride.”
Towards the 500m, Zahra increased the pressure stringing the field out more gearing up for a big finish.
Tofane kicked away at the 200m and was too good, holding on well to deny the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained grey Lighthouse who ran a bottler for second.
In a nice third for the Godolphin stable was the James Cummings-trained Cascadian, last year’s Doncaster Mile champ scratched from Sydney’s Group 2 Apollo Stakes on the same day in favour of the Orr.
“She had them beaten a long way out,” Moroney said of his soon-to-retire champion.
“She’s done a really good job to recuperate (after the spring), so great job to her.”
The Magic Millions sales are calling for Tofane who is set for a broodmare career post-autumn, with next-up plans for the nearly $4 million earner being the Group 1 $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) back at the track on Blue Diamond Day (February 26).
“Probably the Futurity and either stay here or head up to Sydney,” Moroney said.
“Sydney I’d say will be her swansong and she’ll go through the sales at the Magic Millions.”
Updated all-in Futurity Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have Tofane at $6 to complete the Orr – Futurity double for the first time since Black Heart Bart (2017).
