Trainer Matt Laurie gave racegoers an early spring preview at Caulfield on Saturday, sending out three Yulong-owned stars for gallops between races.
Dual Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment worked on her own, while Vinrock partnered with recent addition See You In Heaven in separate hit-outs. Both Treasurethe Moment and Vinrock are locked onto Group 1 campaigns, while plans for See You In Heaven remain undecided.
Laurie said the decision to take them from Mornington to Caulfield provided valuable conditioning.
“It was all about a bit of race day stimulation and if you get the opportunity to take them away and work them on a lovely surface, you should take that opportunity,” Laurie said.
Treasurethe Moment is being aimed at the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 30 before tackling the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. She also holds nominations for both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
“It will be Yulong’s decision which race she heads to,” Laurie said.
Vinrock will resume in the Group 3 H D F McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield before a Sydney campaign featuring the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) and the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).
“I was very happy with Vinrock, I thought he relaxed beautifully in the gallop,” Laurie said. “I loved the way he quickened up beside her (See You In Heaven). I’m thinking he’ll run first-up in the McNeil and then go up to Sydney for the Run To The Rose and the Golden Rose.”
See You In Heaven, previously trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly in Adelaide, was bought by Yulong at the National Broodmares Sale in June. Laurie said her campaign will be guided by her form.
“She’s a well-performed mare that probably tapered off last preparation,” Laurie said. “She’s had her little issues after speaking with Richard Jolly about her, but if we can get some form back, that would be wonderful, otherwise she will be off to visit one of the Yulong stallions.”
The Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes (1200m) on August 30 is a possible kick-off point, though Laurie said, “it sounds like it might be a pretty hot race, so we’ll have a think about it.”
