Top galloper Weekend Hussler wiTrainer Ross McDonald has just returned from Dubai, assessing the facilities and flight options as he plans a three-pronged attack on the four races series.
The series begins with the Futurity Stakes on February 28, following by the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes on March 28, the Hong Kong Champions Mile on April 26 and finally the Yasuda Kinen in Japan on June 7.
McDonald ruled out the final leg but hopes to share in some of the US$12.5 million in prizemoney and bonus on offer over the four race series.
“He'll come back in December,” McDonald said. “He went to the paddock straight after the Caulfield Cup so he's had three extra weeks this year.
“We'll run him here in the Australia Stakes in February, then the Futurity. Then he's got a month from there for the Dubai Duty Free then another month to Hong Kong.
“He won't go to Japan because he has to spend too long in quarantine.”ll return to work in December as he prepares for the rich Asian Mile Challenge next autumn.
