Yulong considers shock switch to 2025 ATC Australian Derby for star filly Treasurethe Moment

Treasurethe Moment, Melbourne’s wonder filly who has forgotten how to lose, could be switched to the ATC Australian Derby if she wins her Sydney debut convincingly at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Treasurethe Moment, Melbourne’s wonder filly who has forgotten how to lose, could be switched to the ATC Australian Derby if she wins her Sydney debut convincingly at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The outstanding Yulong-owned Treaurethe Moment is chasing her seventh win in succession in the Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stud Stakes (2000m).

She is the $1.50 favourite in early TAB Fixed Odds betting to win Saturday’s three-year-old fillies classic which is the traditional lead-up to the Group 1 $1 million ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

But Yulong supremo Vin Cox has hinted at a possible shock switch to take on the ‘boys’ in the Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 5, Day One of The Championships.

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“Treasurethe Moment will go to the Vinery and it will be interesting to see how she goes when she comes up against the Sydney fillies,’’ Cox said.

“Then we will look at potentially going to the Oaks although we haven’t ruled out the Derby.

“We don’t have her nominated for the Derby so we will need to see how she comes through the Vinery before considering our options.’’

The Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment has dominated the three-year-old fillies races in Melbourne this season including feature race wins in the Group 1 VRC Oaks plus the Wakeful, Angus Armanasco and Kewney Stakes, all at Group 2 level.

But she is facing some quality opposition in the Vinery Stud Stakes with the Chris Waller-trained trio of Declichy Boulevard, Movin Out and Real Class, plus Gary Portelli’s unbeaten Verona Rose.

She is all class! 🚀

Treasurethe Moment destroys her opposition & makes it SIX wins in a row! 😍@[e-mail]/nCJ0AczjDl

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 8, 2025

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Waller and Yulong teamed up with champion mare Via Sistina to win the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes on Golden Slipper Day and they are joining forces again with superbly-bred imported stayers Zarir and River The Stars in the Group 1 $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m) on Saturday.

Zarir is a son of the English superhorse Frankel and is the winner of four of his 11 starts with a career-best effort when second in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp.

River Of Stars, a six-year-old mare by champion Sea The Stars, is a multiple stakeswinner of four races from 15 starts and is also a Group 1 placegetter in France.

“I would say Zarir and River Of Stars will both end up in the Tancred,’’ Cox said.

“Zarir is coming up nicely and has some impressive overseas form, as does River Of Stars. She is a very good mare who is seemingly doing really well.’’

That was tight! 👀

🏇 River of Stars fights back to deny Mimikyu, landing the Group 3 William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies' Stakes in great style for Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett 👏@[e-mail]/ucIdypZwS7

— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 27, 2023

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In early Tancred betting, River Of Stars is at $8 and Zarir $15 behind equal favourites English raider Dubai Honour and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Vauban at $3.50.

Cox said Via Sistina had pulled up well after her Ranvet Stakes win and was on target for the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Via Sistina secured her sixth Group 1 win of the season in the Ranvet Stakes, and became only the sixth horse to achieve the feat after Kingston Town (1979-80), Weekend Hussler (2007-08), Black Caviar twice (2010-11, 2011-12), Winx three times (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 when she won a record seven majors) and Anamoe (2022-23).

“Via Sistina is in very elite company now,’’ Cox said when informed of the Group 1 record.

“Chris managed Winx’s career and he know his way through so we are in good hands.’’

She's just the best!

Via Sistina makes it back-to-back Ranvet Stakes and notches up her 7th Australian G1 victory! ✌️@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/dqqaUCleXH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025

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There has been some talk of Via Sistina’s campaign being extended to include Royal Ascot in England but Cox said the Queen Elizabeth Stakes was almost certain to be the Horse of the Year-elect’s final start for the season.

“There’s a lot to weigh up but it is unlikely we will put her on a plane,’’ Cox said.

“We will get through the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, give her a rest then bring her back into training for the spring.

“There’s no real need to rush her off to stud so we will see how she is going but if she races on next season then the most likely path in spring is to set our sights on a Cox Plate defence.’’