Mike Moroney has a knack of being involved in breakout wins for jockeys and that ability could again be to the fore on Saturday when Jamie Mott takes over as the rider of his super mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m).
On Super Saturday at Flemington, Moroney combined with Patrick Moloney for the hoop’s first Group 1 win aboard $101 bolter Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto) and, while The All-Star Mile is not a Group One race, it could prove a pivotal moment for 33-year-old Mott, who has a career total of 1295 winners.
Not least because of the $100,000-plus pay day he could have if Tofane is to add another $2.25m to the $3.5m she has already accrued.
Tofane has raced 28 times for an assortment of riders, with her latest change being enforced by Mark Zahra’s confirmation that he will be riding at the Golden Slipper Stakes meeting at Rosehill on Saturday.
Despite her record, which includes a Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) win this campaign, Tofane is marked a $14 chance by Sportsbet for Saturday’s All-Star Mile, with favourite Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux) ($2.70) continuing to firm ahead of I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) and Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man) at $7.
Moroney has a history of giving emerging jockeys their first feature-race opportunity, stretching right back to 2000 when a baby-faced Kerrin McEvoy steered home Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram) for him in the Melbourne Cup.
