Weekend Hussler did just enough in the Group 2 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on the 30th August 2008. After taking the length of the straight to run down a glant Maldivian some could question where Weekend Hussler is at this spring. Last season Weekend Hussler would get into the straight after sitting off the pace and just blow the opposition away. But things are different this year due to one factor as trainer Ross McDonald has pointed our, Weekend Hussler is training for further distances.
Last year 1200-1600 was right in Weekend Husslers zone, this year as the connections search for the big three, well at least the Cox plate (2050m) and the Caulfield Cup (2400m) Weekend Hussler is turning more into a stayer then a sprinter like Takeover Target.
The big surprise was the return of Pompeii Ruler for 3rd after about a year out of racing, just a huge effort after travelling three wide for the entire journey. Conversely Scenic Blast which was heavily backed could only beat two other runners home after being pushed to the front with Maldivian.
The main interest we had in this race was Tuesday Joy as she resumes ready for the Melbourne Cup campaign. Now, the run was nothing to write home about (just blog it!), Tuesday joy would need to show improvement in her next hit out, she jumped well enough and sat on the fence just midfield or slightly worse and travelled to the bend fine, the only difference was the turn of foot and she could not go with the the others that were already into their campaigns. If you watch the footage however you will see her continuing to run onto the post. Keep in mind that this was the first run in a red hot field and would be looking to the mile (1600m) to 1800 in her next race, and that will really show us how good she’ll be over during the Melbourne Cup campaign.
Other Melbourne Cup homes, C’est la Guerre ran on for 7th, just in front of Tuesday joy and ran well down the straight. The one to watch again however is Maldivian, it was another fantastic run out in front and we are starting to get into the right trips over the next four weeks and the way he races being out in front he creates his own luck. I was not a Big Mal fan this time last year, often to my detriment, I think I’ll be one him next start.
For the record:
Racetime – 1.23.27
Last 600m – 35.07
Best 600m – Pompeii Ruler 34.52
I hope you are enjoying the lead up to the Melbourne Cup, we just over eight weeks away and I would love to start hearing from all of you about your early tips!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
i thought tuesday joy was disapointing even though it was 1600, i expected it to run past a couple in the straight like efficient did in its resume from a spell.
the hussler has the most amazing burst when asked to deliever, the cox plate and caufield is already over if it can run the distance, which its showing the potencial to do.
i seriously doubt they will risk the hussler over 3200m though, and even if it does, you would think horses like efficient and zipping will be able to keep up over that distance.