Star mare Treasurethe Moment showed she could provide champion Yulong teammate Via Sistina some stiff opposition if they clash in the spring by producing a breathtaking victory in a classic edition of the Memsie Stakes (G1) Aug. 31.
This century, Victoria's first group 1 of the season has showcased memorable first-up triumphs to three of this country's all-time great mares. Makybe Diva won it in 2005 en route to her double of the Cox Plate (G1) and her third Melbourne Cup (G1). Miss Finland claimed it in 2007, and Atlantic Jewel was victorious in 2013, in her first run back from a 16-month break due to injury.
On Saturday at Caulfield, Treasurethe Moment joined the list in a fully deserved manner, with a win that left onlookers and trainer Matt Laurie awestruck over what it said about the 4-year-old's possibilities.
Treasurethe Moment had closed out her autumn campaign with her eighth straight success in the ATC Oaks (G1), her third top-tier win in that span also including the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) at her previous run, and last spring's VRC Oaks (G1).
The Yulong homebred came to the Memsie off two jump-outs at Mornington, the latest a win over Kia Ora Stud-owned 4-year-old stallion Tropicus (AUS). When Tropicus was victorious two races before the Memsie in The Heath (G3), it augured well for Treasurethe Moment's chances. But few would have dared imagine a win of such fearsome quality for Laurie's exciting mare, who might just be in the middle of unfurling one of the most memorable careers in living memory.
Treasurethe Moment jumped well from gate one before regular rider Damian Lane eased her to fifth on the fence as Pinstriped and Here To Shock set a cracking pace. While Mr Brightside and Another Wil began their runs on entering the straight in the center of the pack, Lane was forced to wait on a gap towards the inside. He was blocked momentarily, but once Here To Shock drifted slightly at the 250 meters, Treasurethe Moment burst through.
Mr Brightside was still coming towards the outside, but Treasurethe Moment suddenly looked as if she'd just been dropped into this high-pressure affair, powering home by 2 1/2 lengths to leave Laurie grasping for words.
"Oh jeez," he began. "Obviously it was one of the best Memsie fields we've seen in some time. I wasn't expecting we'd just be coming
here and winning. We knew she'd come up pretty well but to win in such fashion was pretty incredible. I haven't seen a horse travel that well coming around that bend and quicken up like she did. It was fantastic to watch.
"To come back from winning two Oaks and to beat a field like this over seven furlongs—it's mind-blowing."
Treasurethe Moment capped another stellar day of four stakes winners for Yulong. Earlier at Caulfield, Magic Time won the Cockram Stakes (G3) and Tycoon Star won the McNeil Stakes (G3), while at Rosehill, Grand Prairie took the Up And Coming Stakes (G3).
