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How to tune into Sport NationTreasure trainer’s Lane instructions for Jenni showdown
Andrew Slevison • November 7th, 2025 2:46 pm
The Champions Mile at Flemington this Saturday is a fascinating race.
The Group 1 over 1600m on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival brings together a star-studded field featuring Pride Of Jenni, Treasurethe Moment, Mr Brightside and Ceolwulf, among others.
From a speed map and tactics perspective, it would be safe to say that Pride Of Jenni, who bolted home by 4.5 lengths in the Empire Rose last Saturday, will take up the running as is her norm.
But Matt Laurie, who trains Treasurethe Moment, says he will instruct jockey Damian Lane to make sure he stays in touch with Jenni wherever she goes.
Laurie says he initially had the 2000m Champions Stakes in mind for Treasure but has opted for the mile even in Jenni’s presence.
“I was leaning towards that and I probably got a little bit of a push from Yulong not wanting to line her up against Via Sistina,” Laurie told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.
“I was thinking it would probably be better for her just coming back and being a softer speed not thinking Pride Of Jenni would be in there.
“I’m just going to tell Damian, ‘Don’t let her out of your sight’. That’s what’s been happening and then it just gets to a point where the jockeys leading up the remainder are literally just dragging everyone else up. They all sit back and they’re not sure what to do.
“We’re there to win, I’m not there to run second or third so we’re going to try and stay within touch.
“She’s got a really good record at Flemington (three from three) herself and she’s fit, she’s coming back from 2000 and she still seems really sharp.
“I think it will suit her really well.”
Treasurethe Moment is currently rated a $6.50 chance with Sportsbet for the Champions Mile.
Jenni can do the double
Regarding Pride Of Jenni, trainer Ciaron Maher believes she is in rich enough form to go back-to-back in the Empire Rose and Champions Mile as she did in 2023.
“She seems in a similar spot to what she was two years ago when she did the double,” Maher said of his star mare.
“I’m confident she can reproduce what she did on Saturday and that would have to take her a long way.”
Pride Of Jenni, to be ridden by Declan Bates, is the $4.40 second favourite with Sportsbet.
Don’t overlook Mr B
Another gun in the Mile field is Mr Brightside - the winner of a lazy 10 Group 1s.
Co-trainer JD Hayes says the stable couldn’t have the eight-year-old iron horse any better following his runner-up run to Ceolwulf in the King Charles III at Randwick on October 18.
“Absolutely over the moon, we couldn’t have him any better,” Hayes said.
“He’s come out of that tough run in the King Charles very well, he’s appreciated a little bit of time between runs and we’re looking forward to getting him back to a course and distance he’s pretty good at.”
Mr B will have to offset his wide barrier (9) but Hayes is confident they’ve got the right jockey on board to do so.
“We’ve got a very good pilot on board in Craig (Williams), he’ll work it out I’m sure,” he added.
“If the rain is there it might turn out to be a much better barrier than what it looks on paper now.
“There’s a fair bit of water to go under the bridge and hopefully on the track before we definitively say it’s a good barrier or not.”
Will there be more confidence if the rain comes?
“If you are a Mr Brightside fan I’m not going to talk you out of it (backing him), that’s for sure,” Hayes said.
Mr Brightside, with Craig Williams in the saddle, is right now the $3.90 favourite for the Group 1 mile race.
Wet-track Wulf is flying
And then there is the enigmatic Ceolwulf who put it all together to win the King Charles in Sydney, rounding them up off a strong pace set by Jenni.
Trainer Joe Pride is bringing the five-year-old to Flemington for the very first time but is confident he’ll give a good account of himself, especially if the rain does affect the track.
“The three most dominant performances she’s put in over the last 12 months are the Epsom win and the two King Charles - all at a mile, all in high-pressure races,” said Pride.
“I couldn’t see much pressure in the 2000m (Champions Stakes) and I thought because I’m putting him in the paddock after this and I’ve got to turn him around quickly for the autumn, risking him at 2000 on a wet track and giving him a harder run didn’t make a lot of sense to me.”
Pride added: “The horse is in great shape, I’m really pleased with him. I’d love to see him finish off the preparation with a strong performance.
“When he’s on song he’s clearly one of the best milers, if not the best miler in the country. We’ll see what we can do on Saturday.
“He’s a very good wet tracker.”
Ceolwulf is the $5.50 third elect with Sportsbet. Chad Schofield takes the ride again.
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