Just how GOOD is Treasurethe Moment?
Was she a flashback to the greats of VRC Oaks, usually a negative for top weight-for-age sprinters, or flattered by being on faster ground in Saturday’s Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
Like all Group one events the VRC Oaks run at Flemington over the 2500 metre journey in recent decades has produced the odd topliner, but not exceptionals.
But by scintillating in the Caulfield 1400 metre dash Treasurethe Moment produced a touch of the last three greats to take the Flemington fillies Group one: Surround, successful and the only three-year-old to win the Cox Plate (1976), with earlier Light Fingers (1965) and Evening Peal (1965) scoring in the Melbourne Cup.
Also the three mares were successful in the then AJC Oaks, now Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick which generally has more substance: Verry Elleegant and Leilani being on the honour roll.
Yes, and last Saturday’s romp puts her in the same sentence as Via Sistina, Horse Of Last Season, and another highly promising mare Aeliana, a promoter’s dream for the upcoming spring majors.
Dan O’Sullivan of the Ratings Bureau assessed her on 105.5, that sits above the five-year Memsie average while a week earlier he only had Via Sistina on 102 but still Via Sistina’s highest rating for the 1400 metres.
Treasurethe Moment downed Mr Brightside, a seasoned weight-for-age war horse with the benefit of Craig Williams, by two and a half lengths on Saturday.
While giving full credit to the winner Williams later commented the mare “drew the right lane (one)”. However, when Damian Lane, being regarded down south as being Australia’s best jockey, cut her loose she gave the impression of being special force.
The often-dicey Caulfield ground, officially a soft five, a circuit and conditions that didn’t suit Fangirl, an outstanding mare, left her wallowing in Treasurethe Moment’s wake.
Under Mark Zahra, Fangirl was never comfortable, an untidy ride applying what appeared to be a loose rein. Still it should be put down to the Caulfield bogey for Sydneysiders having their first start on the course.
The message was to drop excessive prizemoney and give benefit to the industry with a reasonable fee for equine accommodation rather than providing a romping ground for imports.
The problem is more Racing NSW than the ATC. The whispered word is Gai Waterhouse, racing’s first lady, will lunch with Tim Hale, the new ATC chairman at Randwick on Saturday.
Unfortunately Waterhouse only makes rare appearances at Randwick, the last being to speak emotionally a few months back against the sale of Rosehill Gardens, the result of which hasn’t been copped sweet by the losers. Retribution is in the air.
Tyreek, handled by Dylan Gibbons, crashed through the running rail at the 300 metres, and had to be euthanised.
Last week I wrote about the 1940 death of Billy Lappin in a Randwick fall, in an era when jockeys didn’t have skull caps or body protection.
Gibbons was able to give evidence, and Sherry subsequently suspended.
The difference between courageous and careless riding is a split second decision in demanding circumstances, hardly the situation with Tom Berry, skilful in many aspects on Raging Force taking the San Domenico Stakes. Alas Berry allowed his mount to drift in near the 100 metres when “insufficiently clear” of runner-up Wodeton, beaten under a length and a half.
Stewards considered a protest but declined to go ahead. Berry pleaded guilty to careless riding and outed. While many scoffed at the suggestion regarding the protest had Berry stopped riding and straightened his mount, as the rules of racing dictate, there would not have been much between them at the end.
