Late trip south should suit Tokorangi
WELLINGTON: Talented filly Tokorangi headed to Christchurch yesterday morning before a tilt at the New Zealand 1000 Guineas over 1600m at Riccarton tomorrow for trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard.
The daughter of Redwood charged into third in the Soliloquy Stakes over 1400m last start behind De La Terre and gives the impression the step up in distance will be right up her alley.
Like a number of the northern raiders in the fillies feature, Tokorangi flew to Christchurch late in the piece and Moroney believes the hitandrun raid will suit the quirky filly who is rated a $7.50 prospect with the TAB.
“She just has to get down there in one piece,” Moroney said.
“I think the fact that she is flying in late will help her because she is not straightforward. She has improved but temperamentwise she has been a bit immature.”
Tokorangi races for a syndicate which includes Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, who bought into the filly recently, but Moroney envisages his charge remaining in New Zealand for a while yet before joining his Flemington stable.
“I would think she would probably stay in New Zealand until the Oaks, if she looks like being an Oaks filly.
“But we are taking it a race at a time and we would like to think she is there until at least Christmas time before we make a decision on whether she comes to Australia for the autumn.”
The 1000 Guineas holds fond memories for Moroney, whose first group 1 winner as a trainer was Imperial Angel in the Classic in 1985.
Meanwhile, improving staying mare Robusto will be the sole runner for the inform Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman team at Riccarton this weekend, when she contests the New Zealand Cup over 3200m.
The daughter of Zed was a comfortable winner of the Metropolitan Trophy over 2500m last Saturday and her trainers see no reason why she cannot repeat the dose this weekend. “All she has to do is back up and reproduce that performance a week later,” Forsman said.
“She seems bright and well and in great order. It is just whether she can back up and again the difference between 2500m and 3200m is always an unknown.
“If she runs to the form she showed last Saturday she will be very hard to beat.
“She has drawn a middle barrier [12] again so it will be similar tactics, work forward, put yourself right there and let the others chase you.”
The 6yrold mare has won six of her 23 starts and placed 12 times but stretches to 3200m for the first time and is rated a $6 third favourite behind The Good Fight ($4.80) and Lincoln King ($4.80)