Yulong headliners Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment have been locked in for a Cox Plate clash, but they are unlikely to meet before Australia’s weight-for-age championship.
In a decision involving trainers Chris Waller, Matt Laurie, owner Zhang Yuesheng and Yulong management, Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment will be kept apart until a potential Moonee Valley showdown on October 25.
Ignoring the Group 1 Underwood Stakes as a possible Melbourne option for Via Sistina, the reigning Australian Horse of the Year is expected to remain in Sydney where Waller has earmarked the 7 Stakes as her next start.
The 7 Stakes, to be run over 1600m at Randwick on September 20, doesn’t have black-type status, but it carries a $1 million purse as a weight-for-age lead-up to the $1.5 million Epsom Handicap a fortnight later.
Via Sistina is expected to make her first appearance of the Melbourne spring when she bids for back-to-back Group 1 Turnbull Stakes on October 4.
This programming paves the way clear for Treasurethe Moment to build on her reputation in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday week.
Via Sistina contested last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes but ran the worst race of her Australian career when unplaced behind Mr Brightside.
In Via Sistina’s absence, Treasurethe Moment is expected to run as a short-priced favourite in the race after a dominant return at weight-for-age in the Memsie Stakes last week.
Bren O’Brien
Laurie will then send Treasurethe Moment to the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 11 as the mare’s final start before the Cox Plate.
“We feel that it is in the best interests of the horses not to meet until they need to,” Yulong racing manager Troy Stephens said.
“After discussions with Mr Zhang, the Yulong team and the trainers, both Chris and Matt have agreed to change their preparations slightly, keeping each mare on their own separate path that will ultimately benefit the horses long term.
“This season’s Cox Plate is certainly not a two-horse race, but it will definitely add to the spectacle if these two great mares’ line up for the first time (against each other) in October.”
Via Sistina took up where she left off in the autumn with a gritty win over stablemate Aeliana on a rain-affected track in the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick.
She holds a clear call for Cox Plate favouritism as a $2.20 chance with Treasurethe Moment promoted to the second line of betting at $6 following her Memsie victory.
