Not for the first time, Mike Moroney is planning for life after Tofane.
The four-time Group 1 winner was one of the disappointments of Saturday’s Memsie Stakes, finishing 12t in the field of 14, 8-1/4 lengths from Snapdancer.
The 1400-metre Group 1 was her first start since being sold for $3.1 million at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and while Moroney was waiting for confirmation of her retirement from new owners, Yulong Investments, that was his immediate thought post-race.
“That was well below par for her,” Moroney said. “I would say she’ll go straight off to get served now.”
Tofane, a daughter of Ocean Park, was part of a spending spree by Yulong on mares this year and Moroney was thrilled to get another chance with one of the most prolific Group 1 performers of his decorated training career.
The seven-year-old was given every chance by Jye Mcneil in the Memsie, settling in fifth position one off the fence before being presented to issue a challenge rounding the home turn only to battle in the straight.
“We’d been happy with her, but Jye said that she got off the bit chasing a long way out and he said that while she didn’t chuck it in, she just didn’t quicken,” Moroney said.
The Memsie Stakes was Tofane 31st start, a career that has generated eight wins, nine placings and a tick over $3.6 million in stakes.
She was purchased with a view to being put to Yulong’s star resident stallion Written Tycoon at their Nagambie property in rural Victoria.