Trainer Matt Laurie knows the challenge that awaits Treasurethe Moment as she lines up for her first run of the season in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
The outstanding mare, who has recorded nine wins from 11 outings, will take on open age company for the first time in Saturday’s Group 1 feature over 1400m.
Treasurethe Moment has produced eight consecutive victories, four of which came during a dominant autumn campaign confined to fillies’ races.
Laurie drew confidence from the performance of Aeliana, another emerging four-year-old, who pushed Via Sistina all the way in last week’s Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
“We feel she’s come back really well,” Laurie said.
“She’s here and she’s ready, but I’m still mindful that she is not four until November, so she’s very much racing as a three-year-old filly.
“It’s bit more of a challenge for her to prove it again against older stock, but she’s a wonderful horse and it would be hard to see her not picking up something along the way.
“She’s shown nothing but class and I think we can assume she’s going to measure up, whether that’s over the seven (furlongs, 1400m) we’ll find out, but certainly over a bit of ground.
“She’s had two big, solid preparations getting out over some good ground, but she’s sharp and she’s keen and enjoying her work and we’re really looking forward for what is ahead.”
Laurie admitted the weather forecast was a concern, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting between 6 and 30mm of rain leading into Saturday.
“I think she’s a lot happier on top of the ground,” Laurie said.
“She’s got that skimming action and can quicken up really well, whereas a softer surface can take that away from a horse.
“You can’t control the weather, so we’ll have to kick off.”
Laurie has earmarked the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13 and the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) in October as her next assignments, before weighing up a tilt at either the Cox Plate (2040m) or the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
While her Oaks triumphs at 2400m and 2500m confirm her staying ability, Laurie said the mare still has to define her true ideal trip.
“She was a stayer as a three-year-old and could win over seven (furlongs, 1400m),” Laurie said.
“I would be very excited to tackle an eight-furlong (1600m) race at Flemington. It’s a beautiful track for her the way she likes to gallop, and she can get ten (2000m).
“All that remains to be seen is what her pet distance is. The beauty of her is we can front up to a variety of different ranges and be competitive.”
A total of 11 horses will line up for the opening Group 1 of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, with Treasurethe Moment drawing barrier one under Damian Lane. The field includes Fangirl and Buckaroo from Chris Waller’s stable, and Ciaron Maher’s pair Another Wil and Zardozi.
Punters eager to back a runner in the Memsie Stakes can compare odds and promotions across leading Australian betting sites.
