THE PETLEY REPORT: TOFANE GETS A THUMBS-UP FROM MIKE MORONEY TO LINE UP IN THE TATTS TIARA

By Jack Petley | Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Mike Moroney has the news that his Stradbroke Handicap winning mare Tofane will tackle the Tatts Tiara at Eagle Farm next week. Moroney, who is in Melbourne because of Covid restrictions in Victoria, said the mare had come through her winning run in fine order. He said, at this stage it is all systems go for the daughter of Waikato Stud's Ocean Park and with Craig Williams booked for the Tatts Tiara mount.

Also heading towards the Tatts Tiara is the Kiwi mare Coventina Bay, who finished 7th in the Dane Ripper in her Australian debut. Trainer Robbie Patterson was pleased with the run citing the bad ground near the fence as being against her. "I was happy with the run and it is onwards and upwards from here. With that run under her belt I feel she will improve." Patterson also had Puntura at Eagle Farm and the three-year-old tailed the field at the finish.” He has put on 30 kilos since he has been here (in Australia). He just knocked up the other day" Patterson said. Puntura heads to the Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast but beforehand runs at Doomben.

Godolphin have a handy trio likely to head to the Tatts Tiara … Flit, Savatiano and Exhilirates. "Their progress will be watched closely," said James Cummings.

Cummings also has the news that Colette is back in work and I see that Chris Waller has Verry Elleegant back and also Nature Strip and Hungry Heart.

Matthew Cameron, who gave riding away in NZ some six months back, is planning to return to race riding." "I have been thinking about it for the last month," he told the NZ Racing Desk. "I've been getting itchy feet here watching the races. I want to come back and get stuck in again," he said. Cameron said he would ease back into racing riding trackwork and building his fitness before returning to race-day riding. He sits on a tally of 1408 NZ wins and 93 Group and listed races including 15 at Group level. He has ridden 150 winners or more in a NZ season three times and has won more than 100 races five times.

Tony Pike is the new trainer for Catalyst and the star galloper has been at the stable for two weeks. "He arrived in great order," said Pike, who said that he would aim the galloper at the Foxbridge Plate then the Tarzino at Hastings and then a likely Melbourne campaign. He has members of his yard in Brisbane and says that the half-brother to Melody Belle, Tutukaka, will run next in the Member Stakes,1800 metres, at Eagle Farm on June 26 and a bold run there could have the trainer setting his sights on the VRC Derby in the spring. "He is a very promising horse and the trip away is doing him the world of good," Pike said. Pike also said that Not an Option would target the Winx Guineas next.

Toffee Tongue, I gather, has recovered from her run in the Q22 when Nash Rawiller eased her right out of the race and it looks as though she will head to the broodmares paddock.

James McDonald, after those big wins in the Derby, Zaaki and Ayrton in Brisbane, will be back in Sydney this weekend as will Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy.

Two of UK's older riders, Kevin Manning and Frankie Dettori won two of the majors at Royal Ascot last night, Dettori on Palace Pier in the Queen Anne Stakes ,for John Gosden, taking his tally at Ascot carnival to 74, while Manning,54, was successful on Pacific Flare for his father in law, Jim Bolger in the St James Palace. Dettori, 50, first rode at Royal Ascot 31 years ago. Gosden also won with Amtiyaz at 33 to 1 with Hollie Doyle in the saddle. Doyle rode her first winner at Ascot last year but said that this one meant a great deal. "Having a crowd here and my family as well is special. We are getting back to normality which is what the world wants." Queen Elizabeth was not on hand for the first day but Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne were in attendance when 11,000 were allowed on the great racetrack.

The outstanding four-year-old mare Love sits at 6/4 for the Gr1 Prince of Wales Stakes with Ryan Moore to ride for Aidan O'Brien. Frankie Dettori rides the top galloper Lord North, Love's main rival, and is at 9/4 for trainer John Gosden. Armory is at 10-3, Audarya, at 12-1 and My Oberon, 28-1. Love heads into the race with wins in the 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks and she is already one of the best backed for the Arc in France later in the year. "We are keen to get her started,"said O'Brien of Love."

At Sha Tin on the weekend John Size moved to within two wins to Casper Fownes on the Premiership with Size now at 67, and Fownes, winless on the day, 69. Blake Shinn gained a double while Joao Moreira boosted his tally to 141 for the season, 24 ahead of his arch rival Zac Purton.