Caulfield trial for Treasurethe moment sets stage for Sunline Stakes

Matt Laurie, the trainer, made use of an exhibition canter at Caulfield to ready Treasurethe Moment for her next engagement.

The multiple Group 1 champion is set for the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) on Saturday as her most likely next appearance, with the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) also in the mix.

Laurie expressed a desire to base himself in Melbourne and restrict Sydney visits to a single trip targeting either the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap or the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Each of those contests spans 1600m at Randwick, scheduled for April 4 and April 11 in turn.

According to Laurie, Daniel Stackhouse, Treasurethe Moment's partner in the recent gallop on Saturday, is in line for the mount if the mare campaigns locally in Melbourne, but a new jockey would be sourced for Sydney.

Treasurethe Moment, compelled into a pacesetting role, concluded third behind Pericles in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on February 21 as the heavy favourite on resumption.

The mare was subsequently pulled out of the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 7 because Laurie believed the setup wouldn't suit Treasurethe Moment.

"It was a pretty tough run first-up," Laurie said.

"It's not her style leading. I prefer her to be back and then we drew a bit awkwardly in the All-Star Mile and I wasn't sure how it was going to play out for us.

"I didn't want to be leading everyone up behind Pride Of Jenni. We have seen her go out and lead by 10 (lengths) and to be running second and effectively leading the rest of them, we want to get out of that and position her where she has been able to win previously.

"With another run two weeks later, we opted to miss (All-Star Mile), plus we only wanted to give her two or three runs this prep, so there was no rush to back her up.

"I think it would be a good move to stay here and maybe then have just the one run trip to Sydney. That would be good for her, but ultimately, we'll have a discussion with Mr Zhang and the team.

"She wouldn't be out of place going up there, but I think having a run back here in a fillies and mares' race, albeit at Group 2, it would be a good lead into the Doncaster Handicap or the Queen Of The Turf Stakes third-up."

Visit the online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the race featuring Treasurethe Moment's Sunline Stakes bid.