Group One-winning mare Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock) will have her second hit-out of the season when she contests a 1700m handicap at Flemington on Saturday.
The full-sister to Group One winner and former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther finished fifth first-up over 1400m, which pleased her connections.
“It was a very encouraging run first-up, especially over a distance that is well short of her best,” trainer Chris Waller’s Flemington foreperson Jo Taylor told RSN927.
“She got held up in quite a vital part and she is a mare who needs to work through her gears and then you will see the best of her late.
“The turn of foot she still showed in that run was very encouraging.”
Taylor’s only concern heading into the weekend is Toffee Tongue’s wide draw of 15.
“Unfortunately we have got a bad barrier,” she said. “But we will take a conservative approach, get some cover and work our way into the race from the half-mile.”
Toffee Tongue was purchased out of Highden Park’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $500,000 by bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne.
Meanwhile, Taylor has been pleased with the way Humidor has come through his Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) victory last weekend.
“We are really happy with how he pulled up. He seems to be a really happy horse and he is just having a quiet week,” she said.
“He is showing us all the right signs that he is ready to go again in three weeks’ time.”
