Defeat Doesn’t Deter Laurie: Treasurethe Moment’s Futurity Setback Sparks Debate
February 21, 2026
In a surprising turn of events, Matt Laurie remained remarkably composed following star mare Treasurethe Moment’s unexpected defeat at Caulfield on Saturday. Despite the $1.90 favorite finishing third in the G1 Futurity Stakes, Laurie attributed the loss to the race’s pace, suggesting his mare was left exposed to her rivals. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it truly the tempo that cost her the win, or did other factors play a role? Let’s dive in.
Treasurethe Moment, piloted by jockey Damian Lane, led early at what Laurie described as a ‘solid tempo.’ However, she was outpaced by Pericles and Buckaroo in the final stretch. ‘It was a brisk gallop, and I wish she could’ve eased slightly,’ Laurie remarked post-race. ‘She wasn’t far behind, but she became an easy target late in the race. You could see she was tiring, yet she still gave it her all.’
Lane echoed similar sentiments, noting the race’s pace seemed reasonable, though Laurie hinted they might have pushed too hard too soon. ‘They were flying before the 600-meter mark, which likely left her vulnerable in the end,’ he explained. And this is the part most people miss: Laurie remains optimistic, insisting this race will serve as a crucial stepping stone for her future performances.
‘She’s going to improve dramatically from this,’ Laurie confidently stated. Looking ahead, Treasurethe Moment is slated to compete in the $2 million All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 7, where she’ll aim to bounce back stronger. But the question remains: Can she overcome the challenges of pace and positioning that plagued her at Caulfield? Or is there more to her defeat than meets the eye?
Controversial Take: While Laurie blames the race tempo, could it be that Treasurethe Moment’s early positioning or the competition’s strength played a bigger role? Share your thoughts below—do you agree with Laurie’s analysis, or do you see it differently? The debate is open!
