Yulong’s extraordinary spring took another jump forward when its star filly Treasurethe Moment delivered an authoritative victory in the G1 VRC Oaks, providing a first elite success for resident stallion Alabama Express.
Trained by Matt Laurie, homebred Treasurethe Moment went into the fillies’ feature as a clear favourite off her win in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes on Saturday.
Jumping from a tricky barrier of 12, Damian Lane got the filly into an ideal spot. While Inevitable Truth surged for home on straightening, the experienced jockey never panicked and brought Treasurethe Moment to the middle of the track.
She quickly surged to the front inside the final 300 metres and had plenty in reserve to see off the challenge of second favourite Powers Of Opal, who finished 1.25 lengths away in second, while Hurry Curry claimed third spot, another 1.5l behind.
It was a third career Group 1 for Laurie, made even more significant as it was for Yulong, Australian racing’s biggest investor in the last few years.
"I'm still shaking. It was a painless watch. It is a dream to win a Group 1 in this week," Laurie said. "It is 20 years of work really trying to achieve something like this. I'm just so grateful to my team at home and to Team Yulong, who have supported me."
"They've been such a positive thing for the industry and I feel privileged to have them in my corner.”
It was a crowning moment for Yulong’s young son of Redoute’s Choice, Alabama Express, who now has a Group 1 winner on his resume from his first crop.
Yulong purchased Alabama Express after his CF Orr Stakes win in 2020 and they are getting considerable reward with 19 winners from 48 runners, including three stakes winners.
Treasurethe Moment’s dam, Draconian Measure, was one of the first yearling buys for Yulong out of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale back in 2016.
A winner over 1700 metres, she is from the same family as 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle. She has had two foals to the track, the other a winner at Devonport.
Treasurethe Moment was retained by Yulong and becomes the second Australian Group 1 winner in Yulong’s colours in the past fortnight after Via Sistina’s magnificent Cox Plate success.
