One To Watch - Geelong

Mark Smith - Friday June 21

An exciting start to the day at Geelong for Yulong as the 2-year-old Alabama Express filly Treasurethe Moment romped to victory in the Rex Gorell Volkswagen Maiden Plate (1312m) shortly after the Written Tycoon colt Earth God broke his maiden in style.

That was some win (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Sent off an odds-on favourite after a debut second to the smart Too Darn Hot (GB) colt  Oodnadatta at Geelong on June 6, Treasurethe Moment, the lone 2-year-old in the field, jumped smartly for Beau Mertens to travel outside of the leader Renovation Show.

Collaring the leader shortly after straightening, Treasurethe Moment defeated Renovation Show by a widening four lengths, with Ignacio (Redoute’s Choice) a further four and a quarter lengths back in third.

“She has a lovely temperament and a great head on her shoulders,” Beau Mertens said.

“She does everything you want her to do and was never going to get beaten from the top of the straight.

“She will only get better with racing.”

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Trained by Matt Laurie, Treasurethe Moment is a Yulong homebred. She is the second winner from as many to race for the Street Cry (IRE) mare Draconic Treasure (USA), whose dam Hazy Glow (Invincible Spirit) is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Rich Tapestry (Holy Roman Emperor), who was runner-up in the Golden Shaheen.

Brightening up a winter's day (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Sadly, Treasurethe Moment is the final foal of Draconic Treasure (USA), who died in 2022.

Treasurethe Moment is the eighth Australian winner for Alabama Express, joining Brutal, with only Too Darn Hot (12) and Tassort (9) ahead of him.

The son of Redoute’s Choice also has two winners from as many runners in New Zealand, including the stakes-winner Disceation Rules as well as a winner in Hong Kong. 

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Race Result - Rex Gorell Volkswagen Mdn Plate 1312m

Geelong Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:17.56
1
Treasurethe Moment
- 2f Alabama Express (AUS) x Draconic Treasure (USA) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Beau Mertens 55
2
4
Renovation Show
- 3g Showtime (AUS) x Karakuchi (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: Julius Sandhu Rdr: C Newitt 59.5
Inglis April (Late) Online Sale $2,250
Seller: Arrowfield Stud (as agent)
Buyer: Medius Enterprises
3
8.3
Ignacio
- 4g Redoute's Choice (AUS) x La Fouine Tail (JPN) (Neo Universe (JPN))
Tnr: Ms W Kelly Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 59.5
4
8.8
Jimbrook
- 4g Jimmy Creed (USA) x Brookton Heritage (AUS) (Mujahid (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Campbell Rdr: B Rawiller 59.5
5
9.2
Rhodesian Red
- 3g Lonhro (AUS) x Cabernet (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: J Mott 59.5
6
9.6
Loch Tay
- 3g Highland Reel (IRE) x Look At Me Now (AUS) (Lookin At Lucky (USA))
Tnr: V L Malady Rdr: John Allen 59.5
7
11.1
Obstructionist
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: B Shinn 59.5
8
11.2
Snowden's Secret
- 3f Ardrossan (AUS) x Snowdonia (GB) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jye McNeil 57.5
9
14.7
Bella Fillide
- 4m Caravaggio (USA) x Deja Blue (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: D E Coombes Rdr: Jack Hill 57.5
10
14.8
Sacred Ted
- 3g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Baysa (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: B Mc Dougall 59.5
11
15.8
Makarska Sunset
- 3f Magnus (AUS) x Remembrance (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: P Koumis Rdr: Tayla Childs 55.5
12
18
Strong Latte
- 3f Impending (AUS) x Cafe Scientific (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: J Maskiell 57.5
13
26
Manhattan Belle
- 4m Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Bellatheball (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M Sell Rdr: Neil Farley 57.5
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