Trainer Matt Laurie faced a key choice at the start of autumn – aim Treasurethe Moment towards the Doncaster Mile or hold back for one more week and go for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Having observed how the outstanding filly Sheza Alibi dominated her rivals in the Doncaster Mile a week earlier, he feels content with opting to skip Randwick’s renowned mile contest.
“It was going to be the Doncaster or this race, one or the other,” Laurie said.
“We felt this was a better race to target, particularly with the likes of Sheza Alibi, who before we made our mind up looked like something special, and she clearly confirmed that in the Doncaster.
“I think we made the right choice in avoiding her.
“We’ve still got a task, but she has been an amazing horse for us and we’re returning to Sydney, she’s unbeaten there, so hopefully it will stay that way.”
The mare who has triumphed in 11 of her 18 outings, Treasurethe Moment stands as a superb showcase of Matt Laurie’s training prowess.
Nearly impossible to defeat during her three-year-old season, she came back with impressive efforts in the spring as a more mature runner, beating Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) and finishing runner-up to Via Sistina and Buckaroo in the Cox Plate (2040m).
Laurie has intentionally kept her campaign light this preparation, and she enters Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on her third start following a sharp victory in the Sunline Stakes (1600m).
With strong pace-setter and recent Australian Cup runner-up Pride Of Jenni set to deliver a genuine tempo over the mile, Laurie anticipates that Treasurethe Moment’s staying power could prove decisive in a lineup where top contenders might falter if the pace turns tough.
“She’s gotten out to 2000 metres and beyond, she has won two Oaks, so she should be able to sustain a good amount of pressure,” Laurie said.
“Pride Of Jenni’s last start effort was outstanding and that big effort can be hard to replicate at times. We’ll be hoping she has already produced her best this prep and maybe she can be found out in this race.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to keep our girl to the mile and only give her a few runs and she’s going into the race in really good order.”
Treasurethe Moment touched down in Sydney last weekend, completing her buildup for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes with brisk gallops on Wednesday morning.
Laurie reports that feedback on her condition remains encouraging, and she has secured an ideal draw from gate three.
Explore the latest Australian betting sites for the best Queen Of The Turf Stakes markets.
