Courage, willpower and a touch of class have lifted Treasurethe Moment to a remarkable win in the ATC Australian Oaks after the star filly looked to be out on her feet at the top of the straight.
The three-year-old was left flat-footed when the leaders sprinted off a slow tempo and it appeared that her seven-straight winning sequence was about to end.
But drawing on the qualities that have made her the best of her generation, Treasurethe Moment ($1.55 fav) rallied, chasing down Sun ‘N’ Sand ($51) in the final bounds to score by a long neck with You Wahng ($21) the same margin away third.
In doing so, she became the first filly since Serenade Rose in 2005-2006 to complete the VRC-ATC Australian Oaks double.
She also gave trainer Matt Laurie his third Group 1 in less than three weeks following her Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) victory last month and Vinrock’s Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) triumph last Saturday.
“I feel like I’m going to burst into tears,” Laurie said.
“It wasn’t the smoothest race to watch. They walked, she didn’t have much cover. She was strong, she was on the wrong lead.
“But she’s a winner. We’ve seen this in the early part of her career, she really had to dig deep to win one race, it might have been her third or fourth run. She really dug deep today to win that.
“It was a hell of a race to watch. The best part was that last twenty (metres) obviously but I’m very proud of the horse.”
The victory also capped an incredible carnival for Lane, who has collected the Golden Slipper (1200m) on Marhoona and ATC Australian Derby (2400m) on Aeliana amongst his autumn Group 1 wins.
Lane said he made Treasurethe Moment’s task harder by underestimating the runner-up, who led for most of the race.
“I probably didn’t show the leader enough respect to be truthful,” Lane said.
“She got away on me a little bit and I had to really bottom out to catch her.
“She (Treasurethe Moment) would have ripped home a great 600. She’s just got that really good turn of foot and just did what she had to.”
Despite collecting two Oaks in separate states, Laurie believes Treasurethe Moment is at her best over a middle-distance and mentioned the Cox Plate as a possible spring target.
“Who doesn’t love a Cox Plate?” he said.
“Whether we stretch her out to this again I’m not sure. But for mine, she is the best filly in the country. It’s incredibly difficult to win way back from when it first started and to carry it right through to the autumn. Unbelievable.”
