Mornington trainer Matt Laurie plots spring plans for Group 1 stars Treasurethe Moment and Vinrock

News.com.au

6 hours ago

Group 1 stars Treasurethe Moment and Vinrock continue to impress astute trainer Matt Laurie, as spring campaigns sharpen into focus.
The Mornington trainer has a traditional spring path being considered for triple Group 1-winner Treasurethe Moment, with Yulong boss and owner Yuesheng Zhang to decide on a Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate grand final.
'It's got to be confirmed and agreed by the boss … Memsie (Stakes), Makybe (Diva Stakes), Turnbull (Stakes) and they're deciding whether she goes to the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate,' Laurie said.
Treasurethe Moment has won nine of 11 starts in a stellar career to date, including the Group 1 VRC Oaks, Vinery Stud Stakes and Australian Oaks.
'If she doesn't win another one (Group 1) we got to be pretty happy with what she has done so far,' Laurie said.
'She has obviously got to take on the older horses now, it's a different league, so we'll see.
'Nine of 11 you'd think she's got something to offer.'
An epic win by Treasurethe Moment in the G1 Australian Oaks! She nabs the Victorian-Australian Oaks double in the final strides! 🙌 @mattlaurierace | @LaneDamian | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/0TP9YjxkuE
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025
Treasurethe Moment is $8 and $11 respectively in Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup markets.
Yulong has a stranglehold on the Cox Plate with reigning champion Via Sistina ($2.50) and new acquisition Carl Spackler ($26), a multiple American Grade 1 winner being aimed at Australia's best race.
Treasurethe Moment is ready to start trot and canter work under saddle after a week on the treadmill.
'She's come back looking better than she did last time,' Laurie said.
'She's buzzing like she's ready to have a canter, so she must be feeling well.'
Group 1 Sires' Produce winner Vinrock has also returned in great shape.
'I've been doing some flat, dressage work in the arena,' Laurie said.
'He had his first trot and canter around our track at the farm (last Saturday) and he felt great.'
🤩 Vinrock makes it a Sires double, winning the G1 Sires' at Randwick, adding to his VRC Sires' win at Flemington, and what a carnival it could be for @mattlaurierace! @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/YJoM3gU8vN
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025
Laurie has the Group 1 Golden Rose (1600m) earmarked as the first spring target for Vinrock but there are many other options following the September feature at Rosehill.
'I'm not sure. I felt he should be running in a Golden Rose and you're deciding whether you're going up to eight (1600m) or coming back to the six (1200m) furlongs,' Laurie said.
Meanwhile, Laurie has Sun Setting chasing a hat-trick in a 1200m Benchmark 64 on King's Birthday Monday at Mornington.
Laurie saved Sun Setting from a tougher assignment at Flemington last Saturday, saddled Soft Love in race instead and missed by the barest margin.
Sun Setting finished second in two summer outings at Mornington before a short break.
The promising daughter of Pierata returned with a Moe maiden win and repeated the effort last start on Mornington home turf.
'She's going really well and she looks well placed,' Laurie said.
'I don't know what price she is but she'd be short enough … I thought no point running them against each other (Soft Love and Sun Setting), as they were both good chances.
'I think she would've given the Flemington race a good shake … we thought a midweek meeting at Mornington, where she has run well before, was a smart move.'
Sun Setting is a $3.40 favourite in the 1200m Benchmark 64 at Mornington.