Outstanding mare Tofane added Saturday's final Group 1 of the season, the $600,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, to her last start win in the Group 1 Stradbroke and join Dane Ripper and Srikandi to achieve the notable double.
With Craig Williams again in the saddle, the 5yo daughter of Ocean Park came with a well-timed finish to win by one and three-quarter lengths. The Fastnet Rock mare Nudge was third past the post but earned second in the steward's room at the expense of the Casino Prince mare, Sweet Deal..
It certainly vindicated the decision by connections to withdraw the Mike Moroney-trained mare from the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
The winner of the Group 1 ATC All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick 12 months ago, Tofane advances her record to seven wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $2,603,970.
It was the sixth Group One of the season for Williams and his 65th overall.
"She did A fantastic job. I just had to steer her where she was comfortable.," Williams said.
"I could do what I wanted to do today. We didn't want to complicate it. I went from a perfect position to where she was exposed, but it gave me options.
"It's very easy to ride a horse in the form she is in and with her ability."
Bred by Curraghmore Stud's Gordon Cunningham, Tofane did her early education at Moroney's Matamata property. She won an 820-metre trial at Te Teko and was purchased by a syndicate of Moroney's clients, including Rupert Legh and Neil Werrett.
Tofane is the best of three winners from as many to race out of Galileo mare Baggy Green.
Consigned to the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Baggy Green was knocked down to Dermot Farrington Bloodstock for $110,000.
She won a 1600 maiden at Goulburn for Guy Walter.
Galileo's daughter was back in the ring at the 2013 Inglis Australian Bloodstock Sale, where Gordon Cunningham purchased her for just $23,000.
Baggy Green's three-quarter sister Funstar (Adelaide) won the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes, and half-sister Youngstar (High Chaparral) claimed the Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks.
John O'Shea Racing / Laurel Oak Bloodstock went to $220,000 at Karaka last year for Baggy Green's Reliable Man (GB) colt. He has been named Benaud.
Now in the ownership of Valachi Downs Stud, Baggy Green has a weanling sister to Tofane and revisited Ocean Park last year after missing to an earlier cover by Savabeel.
