The Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment ($5.00) has earned her place in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at headquarters on Thursday after securing a dominant victory in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Alabama Express took advantage of a sedate tempo throughout the journey, proving too strong for the well-supported favourite Powers Of Opal ($1.80) in the concluding stages.
There was plenty of drama pre-race with Jamie Kah coping a minor knock to the nose before being loaded aboard Hurry Curry, with the three-year-old filly being withdrawn prior to the jump, while Ziggy Rose refused to load before being sent back to the mounting yard.
Once racing did get underway, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Killcare Beachgirl ($19.00) was allowed to stride forward under her own steam for Tim Clark, giving the daughter of Too Darn Hot every chance to stay the 2000m journey.
It played into the hands of the eventual winner, with Damien Lane pulling clear in the final 400m, with Treasurethe Moment producing the best turn-of-foot, while Powers Of Opal could only whack away into the minor money under James McDonald.
2024 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes Replay – Treasurethe Moment
The Wakeful has proven to be the key form-reference for the VRC Oaks, and Laurie confirmed Treasurethe Moment would back-up provided he comes through the win well.
“We knew she had something there in the early days and we just need to be a little bit patient, but she’ s got a great temperament,” said Laurie.
“She relaxed beautifully today and I was confident a long way out. We’re looking forward to Thursday.
“She’s out of a Street Cry mare and there’s a bit of staying blood line, further down the page. I mean, at the end of the day, you’ve got to pick an individual and if you are trying to purchase a stayer, this horse, paraded as a yearling, she screams that.
“It was never an issue for me. Her work last weekend suggested she was more than up to this as a company. It’s great to try and win for Yulong. They’ve been really supportive of me and I can’t wait till next week.”
Damien Lane was delighted with the win and can’t wait to hop aboard again on Thursday.
“She was great,” said Lane.
“Had a lovely run. The pace was moderate and she just out-sprinted them. She was really good.
“Just got a perfect tow in and she was too quick for the late. The further I got into the race the more confident I got.
“On how she went today, I think she can (go to the Oaks). So she ran right to the line, so hopefully that indicates she’s going to run the trip. If we have quick ground, I think that’s going to suit her.
“She really enjoyed that firm ground. Hopefully she comes through the run well and can go on the Oaks.”
Treasurethe Moment and Powers Of Opal now share favouritism at $3.50 with horse racing bookmakers for the VRC Oaks on Thursday.
Horse racing news
