Ocean Park's Tofane Strikes in the Stradbroke

Mark Smith - Saturday June 12

For those breeders mortified by the late withdrawal of Tofane from the National Broodmare Sale, the dagger was inserted a little deeper when the daughter of  Ocean Park scored a barnstorming win in Saturday's $1,500,000 Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm..

Under an inspired ride by Craig Williams, the Mike Moroney-trained 5yo mare defeated the game Lope de Vega (IRE), gelding Vega One by a half-length with the Exceed And Excel gelding Signore Fox a short-neck back in third.

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The winner of the Group 1 ATC All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick 12 months ago, Tofane advances her record to six wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $2,243,970.

It was the second win in the race for Williams, who said he was keen for his manager to chase the ride after the mares last start second in the Group III BRC Sprint.

Tofane (image Grant Courtney)

"After her run last time, we were looking at potential Stradbroke horses. When Philip Stokes decided Instant Celebrity wasn't going to come up here, after Tofane's last run I said get me on that horse please, I think she can win for us," Williams said.

"I love the way Mike has spaced her runs. She is now a dual Group 1 winning mare.

"I had to try and restrain her throughout the race she got a bit inconvenienced throughout, but late she was really strong and very gallant, I've got to thank her performance, she was the horse that wanted to win more than anyone for me to win my second Stradbroke."

Bred by reared by Curraghmore Stud's Gordon Cunningham, Tofane was entered for the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale, but was withdrawn. After doing her early education at Moroney's Matamata property, Tofane won an 820-metre trial at Te Teko. She was then purchased by a syndicate of Moroney's clients, including Rupert Legh and Neil Werrett.

Tofane is the best of three winners from as many to race out of Galileo mare Baggy Green.

Consigned to the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Baggy Green was knocked down to Dermot Farrington Bloodstock for $110,000.

She was sent to Guy Walter, for whom she won a 1600 maiden at Goulburn.

The daughter of Galileo was back in the ring at the 2013 Inglis Australian Bloodstock Sale, where Gordon Cunningham purchased her for just $23,000.

It proved to be an inspired decision when Baggy Green's three-quarter sister Funstar (Adelaide) won the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes, and half-sister Youngstar (High Chaparral) claimed the Group 1BRC Queensland Oaks.

 John O'Shea Racing / Laurel Oak Bloodstock went to $220,000 at Karaka last year. He has been nmed Benaud.

Baggy Green has a weanling sister to Tofane and visited Ocean Park again last year after having missed to an earlier cover by Savabeel.

Ocean Park

 

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Race Result - Tab Stradbroke Hcp Gr1 1400m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:21.98
1
Tofane
- 5m Ocean Park (NZ) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Craig Williams 54.5
2
0.5
Vega One
- 5g Lope De Vega (IRE) x One Funny Honey (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Rachel King 53
3
0.7
Signore Fox
- 5h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sharp Susan (USA) (Touch Gold (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Ben Thompson 52
4
0.9
Mr Quickie
- 5g Shamus Award (AUS) x Special Favour (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
5
1.3
Subpoenaed
- 4m Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Notice Received (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Ron Stewart 51
6
1.5
The Harrovian
- 7g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Harrow (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: G Boss 53
7
1.8
Imaging
- 6g Oasis Dream (GB) x Mirror Lake (GB) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tim Clark 54.5
8
1.9
Emerald Kingdom
- 6g Bryannbo's Gift (NZ) x Horshoe (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: R Fradd 52
9
2.6
Victorem
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Playful Miss (AUS) (Foreplay (AUS))
Tnr: Ms J Graham Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54
10
2.8
So Si Bon
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Black Minx (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: B Mc Dougall 54
11
3.0
Niccanova
- 7g Nicconi (AUS) x Dananova (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: S P Tregea Rdr: James Orman 54
12
3.8
Wild Planet
- 5g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Salutations (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
13
3.9
Apache Chase
- 3g Better Than Ready (AUS) x Silken Whisper (USA) (Diesis (GB))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: J Byrne 50.5
14
4.0
Outback Barbie
- 5m Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Pure Purrfection (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Jye McNeil 52
15
4.2
I Am Superman
- 5h Footstepsinthesand (GB) x Fastnet Lady (IRE) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
16
6.4
Savatoxl
- 5g Kuroshio (AUS) x Li'l Miss Hayley (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: B Vorster 55
17
21.4
Olmedo
- 6h Declaration Of War (USA) x Super Pie (USA) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Ryan Maloney 54.5
18
36.4
Master Jamie
- 4g Poet's Voice (GB) x Verkko (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: G R Green Rdr: Taylor Marshall 51
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