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.
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.
"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by reared by Curraghmore Stud's Gordon Cunningham, Tofane was entered for the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale, but was withdrawn.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.
