Weekend Hussler will today head off to the paddock as he prepares for next autumn – and slightly shorter races.
Trainer Ross McDonald had toyed with the idea of another run for Weekend Hussler over the spring but will stick to his original plan and send the gelding for a break and look overseas in the autumn.
After three wins on end including the Group 1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m, Weekend Hussler had a tough run when eighth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000m then tackled 2400m for the first time in last weekend's Caulfield Cup.
After sitting just off the speed and turning second he weakened in the straight, coming in 12th behind All The Good.
McDonald said the only way to find out whether a horse would run a trip was try but with the lesson learned will now focus on richer, and shorter, races next year.
“I thought about it (another run) but for our plans for him next time in he will have to start off in early February so we don't have a lot of time.”
“He'll have five or six weeks in the paddock then come back for the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley, then he'll run in the Futurity on the 28th of February then get on a plane and go to Dubai.”
The Group 1 Dubai Duty Free is the raced McDonald has in his sights, over 1777m on World Cup night in March which is worth US$5 million.
had a tough run when eighth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000m then tackled 2400m for the first time in last weekend's Caulfield Cup.