Weekend Hussler 下一目標唐加士達讓賽
Weekend Hussler has again lived up to his reputation as superstar of Australian racing by storming home to win today's Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington and could be set for the Melbourne Cup in November.
Weekend Hussler jumped from barrier 12 and sat just off the pace behind Dance Hero on the outside rail until he obtained a clear run with 300 metres to go.
In a result identical to the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield two week ago, the exciting three-year-old and Peter Moody trained Magnus ($16) continued their rivalry and battled it out in the final stages.
Weekend Hussler drew clear in the final 50 metres and won by three quarters of a length. Outsider Grand Duels ($31) was three lengths back in third place and beat a wall of horses home including fourth placed Bart Cummings trained Swick, ($8) and fifth placed Monet Rules ($26).
Weekend Hussler, who started odds on at $1.70 became the first three-year-old to win the Newmarket carrying 56 or more kilos since Ajax in 1938 and could continue to get his name in the history books in the spring.
Trainer Ross McDonald revealed his spring plans for the gelding today.
“I haven't got a crystal ball but he'll be in it for the Melbourne Cup and we'll see how it pans out,” McDonald said. “The Cox Plate is in our sights but we'll just enter him in all of the big races and he'll let us know where he wants to go.”
The Newmarket Handicap, Melbourne Cup double hasn't been accomplished since one of the most versatile gallopers in Australian history, Malua, achieved the feat in 1884.
Weekend Hussler will likely go to Sydney now and get over more distance with a run in the Group 1, $1.8 million Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on April 26.
Jockey Brad Rawiller said after today's race more distance would only further suit the Hussonet gelding.
“I still don't think he's a sprinter,” Rawiller said. “I cannot wait until he gets to the Doncaster with the older horses and then we'll find out where's he at for the Cox Plate. We haven't seen the best of him, let's wait until we get him over a little bit further.”
Ross McDonald's wife, Margaret McDonald often takes care of Weekend Hussler and was jubilant after his victory and put critics of Weekend Hussler in their place.
“I'm so excited, it an amazing feeling, he's just so amazing that horse,” Margaret said. “I look after him and I love him to death.”
“Anyone that tells me he isn't a champion obviously doesn't watch him, that result should put them all to bed hopefully.”
“We've had some good horses, but nothing anywhere as good as him.”
The partnership of five-year-old Magnus and Damien Oliver played the bridesmaid role to Weekend Hussler for the second time in a row and put in a gutsy performance.
“It was a terrific effort again, he (Magnus) really stretched the winner,” Oliver said. “Weekend Hussler is just an outstanding horse and was just too good for him, I knew he had us about 50 metres out.”
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