TOFANE WEARS THE TIARA

Tofane’s class shone through when she proved too good for her rivals to win the Tattersalls Tiara at Eagle Farm - her third Group 1 victory.

Enjoying another perfect ride from Craig Williams who positioned Tofane just worse than midfield to home turn without cover but able to steer to the better part of the track in the straight before finishing strongly to score by 1-3/4 lengths.

Tofane became just the third mare to win the Stradbroke Handicap - Winter Stakes double after Dane Ripper and Srikandi and the 52nd Group 1 win for Mike Moroney as a trainer.

“I thought it was a great run, she got posted wide a little bit but once she straightened up she was too good for them," Moroney said.

“I felt she was the best she’d been going into the race and she showed that so it’s all very satisfying and a credit to a big job from the team.

“The plan is to spell her in the North where it should be that little bit warmer and then look at the spring carnival with her where she has a few different scenarios - I’ve got no doubt in my mind she will get a strong mile so that opens things up for her.”

It was the first win in the race for the jockey known as ‘Willo’.

“It’s a big thrill. It was quite easy actually,” Williams said.

“She gave me many options and she did a fantastic job running and I just had to steer her where we felt we were comfortable to be. I didn’t want to disappoint her. I trusted her, she travelled sweetly for me and basically I just had to convince her to come a little bit wider,

“Mike and Lilly gave me so much confidence coming into today telling me she’d improved from her Stradbroke win.”

“It’s very easy to ride a horse in the form she’s in and with her ability.”