News

News

Quirks of ‘strange cat’ Toregene to be tested at Flemington

After an impressive win on debut in Warrnambool, the filly will take on the field in a BM78 for 3yo in Flemington this Saturday.

Toregene’s jockey Declan Bates will need to sneak up on the filly in the mounting yard before she races at Flemington. Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams described Toregene as a “strange cat with a few tricks”, including one that makes life difficult for riders.

Williams wondered whether the former Kiwi filly likes the bright colours of jockey silks.

“They said before she trialled in New Zealand that they couldn’t get the rider on with their silks on so they had to take her home and they couldn’t trial her,” Williams said.

“I took her to Camperdown to trial one day and we got the rider on but it was very difficult.”

A pair of blinkers solved the problem to a large extent but Williams said the three-year-old could still be a handful.

“She’s even a little bit funny to get on at home but with the blinkers, we can just hide the rider and she doesn’t know when the rider is getting legged on,” Williams said.

Despite her quirks, Toregene showed plenty of ability in her fighting win at Warrnambool earlier this month. Toregene raced in an unsuitable position near the lead before defying a late betting drift to score on debut.

Toregene (NZ) ridden by Jamie Kah wins the Western District Electrical Services Maiden Plate at Warrnambool Racecourse on May 04, 2022 in Warrnambool, Australia. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Williams weighed up running Toregene in a race at Sandown on Sunday but the trainer said the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Trophy on the spacious Flemington track was a better assignment for the daughter of Mongolian Khan.

“We thought Flemington would suit Toregene better than the Sandown Lakeside where they can get into an awkward spot if things go against them,” Williams said.

“She’s got a pretty big attitude on her and she can be quite headstrong and has a few little tricks but she’s improving all the time with her manners.”

The above is an exert of Brad Waters Punters article, which can be read in full here.