Yulong Investments retained Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) to race, and the filly has given them a season full of moments worth treasuring. Trained by Matt Laurie, there have only been two occasions in 11 starts where she has finished anything other than first, and once she hit Group level, she has been an unstoppable force.
“She’s been running very good time as well,” Ashman said; he recognised her as one of three fillies who could pose a threat to Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) over 2000 metres come the spring after her victory in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks in April.
Treasurethe Moment’s second Oaks didn’t go quite as smoothly as her first – the Gr.1 VRC Oaks in the spring – but she still finished nearly half a length ahead of runner-up Sun ‘N’ Sand (Pride Of Dubai), with subsequent Gr.1 Queensland Oaks winner You Wahng (So You Think {NZ}) in third.
The result made for Treasurethe Moment’s eighth consecutive victory, and sixth consecutive stakes victory, in a season that netted her nearly $2.5 million in earnings.
“She strikes me as a mile to 2000 metres horse, rather than a natural stayer, so I think the Empire Rose for her is probably a nice target if she doesn’t go to the Cox Plate.”
Dare Yulong stage a clash between their best filly and their best mare?
“It’s entirely possible – depending on what Via Sistina does – that Treasurethe Moment could go to the Cox Plate and win. It could happen. I’m not saying it will, but it could.”
Alabama Express | Standing at Yulong
Treasurethe Moment is from the first crop of Alabama Express — an unbeaten two-year-old and Gr.1 winner. Alabama Express is quickly establishing himself as a sire of elite performers, with standouts including three-time winner Treasurethe Moment, multiple Group winner Alabama Lass, and Stakes winner Glasgow Lass. His early success, particularly with fillies, underscores his growing influence at the highest level of competition.
His yearlings have sold for up to $400,000, attracting leading buyers such as Maher & Eustace, Annabel Neasham, Waterhouse & Bott, and Ballymore Stables. In 2025, Alabama Express stands at a highly competitive fee of $66,000.
Written for TTRAusNZ
