Entries taken for 2025 Spring Racing Carnival features
Matt Laurie’s star mare Treasurethe Moment is gearing up for a high-profile spring campaign, with a jump-out at Mornington marking the first step toward either the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate.
The Oaks-winning mare is nominated for both features after entries closed on Tuesday, with 146 for the Caulfield Cup and 108 for the Cox Plate. This year's international numbers are significantly reduced compared to last season.
Treasurethe Moment was dominant last spring with wins in both the VRC Oaks and Australian Oaks. Her return begins at Mornington ahead of a first-up run in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 30.
The plan is to continue through the Makybe Diva Stakes on September 13 and the Turnbull Stakes on October 4, before her path is decided.
“She’s a very versatile mare and has matured beautifully,” Laurie said. “Whether it’s the Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup, I’m confident she’ll be competitive.”
Laurie admits the Cox Plate’s high-calibre field might steer them toward the Caulfield Cup. “She’s proven at 2400m and has the right temperament to handle a tough staying test,” he said.
“We’re taking the pressure off a little. She’s already achieved plenty and now we just want to see her take the next step against the older horses.”
The filly has returned in great order and is showing signs she’s ready to peak again. “She’s thriving,” Laurie said. “She looks more advanced in her coat than many of the others.”
Laurie has also entered promising colt Vinrock for the Cox Plate with the Golden Rose in Sydney firmly on his radar.
Among other leading contenders, Chris Waller dominates with 32 entries for the Caulfield Cup and 29 for the Cox Plate. Ciaron Maher has also nominated 25 runners in the Cup and seven in the Plate, including 2024 winner Duke De Sessa.
Globally, Joseph O’Brien has four Caulfield Cup nominations, while Aidan O’Brien has four horses entered across both features including Cox Plate hopefuls Diego Velazquez and Whirl.
Get ready for spring by exploring the best offers from Australia's trusted betting sites.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...