Star filly Treasurethe Moment has again triumphed over arch-rival Powers Of Opal for the second time in less than a week, storming away with Thursday’s Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington. After meeting on Saturday where Treasurethe Moment emerged a length-and-a-half the better of Powers Of Opal, the Wakeful Stakes quinella again met in the Oaks in a market reversal, with Treasurethe Moment now a $3.10 TABtouch favourite from Powers Of Opal at $3.
80. Despite drawing wide in gate 12, jockey Damian Lane sooled Treasurethe Moment over from her high draw and delivered a masterclass in riding to perch the filly perfectly one-out and two-back as Killcare Beachgirl ($26) made the pace. Meanwhile, a couple of lengths astern, chief danger Powers Of Opal was caught three wide and unable to get closer to the rail despite hoop James McDonald’s best endeavours.
At the 600m when Inevitable Truth ($26) struck the front and committed for home, Lane angled Treasurethe Moment to the outside to stake a claim. By the 400m, Lane still hadn’t flinched on the filly and cruised up to be only two lengths from the leader before racing to the front only 100m later. Lane was now all action, with Powers Of Opal hooking to the very outside and beginning a searching run and making inroads on her Wakeful conqueror.
But despite the extra 500m in trip, Treasurethe Moment stayed the distance with aplomb and held her nemesis to a length-and-a-quarter. The success provided trainer Matt Laurie with an .