Yulong gets ready for Via Sistina's Saturday star turn with a Flemington Classic triumph

Flemington on Saturday welcomes the mare who might soon be acclaimed the world's best racehorse – and as an aperitif to Via Sistina's appearance on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Treasurethe Moment carried the same Yulong colours to an impressive Classic triumph.

Record-breaking Cox Plate heroine Via Sistina headlines a star-studded field for the TAB Champions Stakes, in which her opponents include last year's Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight, this year's Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa and British challenger Docklands.

The Chris Waller-trained superstar is sure to be sent off favourite, a status Treasurethe Moment shouldered in style by following up her success in last Saturday's Wakeful Stakes with a dominant victory under Damian Lane in the Crown Oaks.

For trainer Matt Laurie, it was a first Oaks trophy. For Yulong general manager Vin Cox, it was not as he also celebrated Zardzoi's win 12 months prior when managing director of Godolphin Australia.

Horses jump from the stalls at the start of the Crown Oaks Credit: Brett Holburt

"I wouldn't say I'm good at it, I just happen to be around at the right time," said Cox, who was quick to praise Yulong founder Yuesheng Zhang. 

"It's no secret Mr Zhang put a lot of money into this business and to get a result like this is testament to his dedication, intent and ambition. You go into a spring hoping to win a nice race but we've had a great spring. You have to pinch yourself. It seems easy at the moment but it's not that easy.

"This filly is unbeaten in her last four starts, she cruised into the Wakeful and she cruised again today. I thought she was brilliant. She is a homebred and we stand the sire Alabama Express, so it's a big result for Yulong."

Another big result could be coming on the carnival's closing day.

Via Sistina seeks to follow up her Cox Plate tour de force in Saturday's Champions StakesCredit: Robert Cianflone

"You never expect, you only hope," said Cox, who might receive further happy news next week when the latest Longines world rankings are released.

"If Via Sistina ends up on top, that would be fantastic, but we're very grateful for what she has done already," he said, adding: "How she gets rated is up to those who assess and judge those things."

Like Via Sistina, Light Infantry last year moved to Australia from Britain, where David Simcock trained him to be placed in three Group 1 prizes, including the Queen Anne Stakes. Now in the care of Ciaron Maher and racing as Light Infantry Man, he belatedly got off the mark in Australia when claiming the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes under James McDonald, already the winner of seven races at this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Maher said of the horse: "He hasn't really scaled the heights we expected but he's on the right path now."

Read more Australian news:

Cieren Fallon appeals against 'ridiculous and stupid' sanction handed down by Australia stewards for winning ride 

'Pinch me - I think I'm dreaming' - major Melbourne Cup shock as 90-1 Knight's Choice triumphs in photo-finish 

Willie Mullins 'disappointed' after Vauban fails to fire at Flemington again - but trainer refuses to give up on Melbourne Cup dream 

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