Yulong confirms star mares to clash in the 2025 Cox Plate

Yulong has confirmed an adjusted spring campaign for its star mares Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment, who will be kept apart until the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Australian Horse of the Year Via Sistina, prepared by Chris Waller, will miss the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes and is instead scheduled to run in either the 7 Stakes at Randwick or the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 20. She is then set for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes before defending her Cox Plate crown.

Matt Laurie’s Treasurethe Moment, the Champion Three-Year-Old filly, will remain on a different course. Fresh from her brilliant victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, she is bound for the Makybe Diva Stakes followed by the Group 1 Might And Power on October 11 as her lead-in to the Cox Plate.

Yulong Racing Manager Troy Stephens explained the rationale: “After discussions with Mr Zhang, the Yulong team and the trainers, both Chris and Matt agreed to change their preparations slightly, keeping each mare on their own separate path. It will ultimately benefit the horses long-term. This season’s Cox Plate is not just a two-horse race, but having both mares line up for the first time will be a huge highlight.”

Punters awaiting the showdown can already access odds and futures markets for the Cox Plate on Australia’s top betting sites.