Tofane’s audition for spring

TRIPLE Group 1 winner Tofane will reach a fork in her spring road in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Tofane’s three Group 1 wins have been over 1400m, but she will tackle 1600m for the first time in Saturday’s $1m event.

Her trainer Mike Moroney said Tofane’s performance over 1600m would be the key to her remaining assignments in the spring.

A win or strong performance could convince Moroney to keep the six-year-old heading towards the Cox Plate.

But top-class mares have many rich options during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“This will be the race that tells us which way to go,” Moroney said. “Her next start will be either the Underwood (Stakes over 1800m) or concentrate on the Toorak (Handicap) or something like that and keep her at a mile.

“We’ve got a lot of options because there’s the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington coming up over the carnival and she’s eligible for the ($1m) big bonus.”

Moroney was unsure how Tofane would handle 1600m but said she had the pedigree to perform well over the distance.

Tofane is by the Cox Plate winner Ocean Park, while her dam Baggy Green was a 1600m winner by the champion staying influence Galileo.

“We’re hoping she lives up to her breeding,” Moroney said. “All three 1400m wins she’s had are where she’s run through the line really well.

“She’s learned to relax a bit better now and that’s the key.”

TAB installed Tofane on the second line at $6 when “allin betting” began on the Makybe Diva Stakes on Monday. Winx Stakes winner Mo’unga is the $4 favourite.