Yulong has today confirmed that spring stars Via Sistina (IRE) and Treasurethe Moment will both take aim at the Gr.1 Cox Plate on October 25th at Moonee Valley.
While Australian Racehorse of the Year Via Sistina likely remains in Sydney and is provisionally pencilled for the $1million 7 Stakes at Randwick, the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on the same day is also still a possible option for her. From there onwards, the Chris Waller-trained eight-year-old will look to add a second Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes to her CV a fortnight later, before setting sights on retaining her Cox Plate crown.
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and dominant Gr.1 Memsie Stakes winner Treasurethe Moment will head to the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes in just over a weeks’ time, prior to a tilt at the Gr.1 Might And Power Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield. Winner of four Gr.1 contests in the past year, the Matt Laurie-trained daughter of Yulong sire Alabama Express only stepped up to weight-for-age company for the first time this season and will bid to become only the fifth four-year-old mare in history to claim the Cox Plate.
“We feel that it is in the best interests of the horses not to meet until they need to.” said Racing Manager Troy Stephens.
“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 together in October.”
