If Mark Zahra can guide Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) to victory in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, he will be allowed more time to savor the win.
When Tofane scored first-up in the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12, Zahra was on a tight schedule to get to the airport to catch a flight to Los Angeles that night for the Superbowl the following day.
Zahra was still on a high aboard the flight to the US and unable to sleep, but he was able to tick off a bucket list item when he watched the Los Angeles Rams take out the title.
“I came home a little tired, but it was definitely worth it,” Zahra said.
Zahra is looking forward to getting back aboard Tofane on Saturday as she chases a fifth Group 1 win.
The mare’s previous four wins at the highest level have all been over 1400m, the same distance as Saturday’s contest.
Zahra said he did not go out with the preconceived plan of leading aboard Tofane in the Orr Stakes, but when Lightsaber missed the start and nothing else wanted the lead, he was happy to take it up.
“That was the way things panned out last time,” Zahtra said.
“She’s always been a horse that we thought would be better with a bit of cover, but she was good in front, however I’m not sure what we’re going to do this week.
“We’ll have a look at the field, but she’s shown now that if you want to go forward, she can. She’s a bit older now and bit more settled.”
Tofane is the highest-rated galloper of the 18 horses entered for Saturday’s Group One contest as she aims to be the first galloper since Black Heart Bart in 2017 to win the Orr-Futurity Stakes double.
Zahra said as a mature mare she may have gone to another level judging by her first-up win.
“Previously she’s taken a run, but she trialled up twice, trialled up well for it and she was there to run a race,” Zahra said.
