Weekend Hussler 下仗木下錦標
Weekend Hussler lived up to his world-class rating when he strolled to an easy win in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, but trainer Mick Price was left lamenting when the previously unbeaten Light Fantastic finished out of a place.
The Group Two weight-for-age 1600m feature was expected to be a virtual match race between the Ross McDonald-trained reigning Horse of the Year and Light Fantastic.
However the great battle didn't eventuate with Weekend Hussler ($1.85 fav) travelling sweetly for Brad Rawiller outside South American import Indio Glorioso in the run before slipping away to score by 2-1/2 lengths.
Dual Group One winner Zarita ($21) was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of dual Derby placegetter Littoria ($101) who ran an excellent Cups trial at his first outing for the spring.
Light Fantastic ($2.80), who battled into fourth place after following Weekend Hussler throughout, was only a long neck ahead of reigning Melbourne Cup hero Efficient ($51) with last year's Caulfield Cup victor Master O'Reilly ($51) a half-head away sixth.
"We had an incident-free week with him and the run last Saturday (when he won the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield) did him good," McDonald said of Weekend Hussler.
"We were quite happy with his work on Tuesday and he did a little bit on Thursday and had a canter this morning and he was bright. I couldn't see anything beating him.
"He's a terrific horse. You can jump him out, put him on the pace, grab hold of him and bring him back and then he's got a sprint.
"We've got two weeks to bring him up for the 1800 metres (Group One Underwood Stakes on September 20) now.
"I decided to back him up today and it looks like it might have been the right thing."
Rawiller said Weekend Hussler was nearly back to the form he showed when he defeated Racing To Win in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last autumn, which the jockey rates as his best victory so far.
Price 自己都無從解釋，點解 Light Fantastic 跑成咁
Price was in awe of Weekend Hussler today and at the same time didn't have an excuse for Light Fantastic.
"Nothing would've beaten him today. It was like he had 52kg in a handicap," Price said of the winner.
"I can't give you a reason (for Light Fantastic). He's sound, fit, pulled up good in the wind, I'll have a look at him in the morning.
"I wouldn't have minded if he had ran second."
Trainer Pat Hyland was delighted with Zarita's effort which confirmed she was on track for the Caulfield Cup.
He said she would also go to the Underwood Stakes next.
|
