Every jurisdiction on earth craves it--a rising superstar. In Australia there is one who celebrated his actual third birthday with an emphatic win at group I level at Flemington Nov. 3.
Weekend Hussler (Hussonet--Weekend Beauty) stamped himself the best Australian bred racing proposition to race anywhere in the world for the past 50 years with his six furlong performance to win the Aus$500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes by more than two lengths.
The win, his fifth from just six starts, took his purse earnings to Aus$968,000. And it made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
"I have no words to describe this horse," said his relaxed, chain-smoking trainer Ross McDonald, who watched his horse surge clear to win easily and didn’t bat an eyelid. He expected the win and the manner in which he did it. "He is so good that nothing I could say would do him justice."
McDonald, who is no stranger to group I success in Australia having trained Caulfield Cup and Blue Diamond winners said, "This horse is by far the best I have ever had."
They are big words as McDonald has trained some real stars of the Australian turf.
But in the Coolmore, Weekend Hussler (sadly for connections a gelding) came back from winning a group I race over a mile last start to sit in third place cantering behind a breakneck speed until his rider, Brad Rawiller, yelled at him to move forward with two furlongs to go.
"He didn’t so much accelerate but just extended his stride and when he does that he just runs away from anyone," said Rawiller. "He’s a real superstar and I just cannot wait until he gets older because he is going to get even better."
Weekend Hussler beat the gutsy Vinery Stud-owned filly Bel Mer (Bel Esprit--Drop Anchor), who battled for the lead throughout and the tough West Australian visitor Scenic Shot (Scenic--Daughter’s Charm), who has now placed twice at group I level behind Weekend Hussler.
In a week, Weekend Hussler will step out of 3year-old company and take on all comers in the group I Emirates Stakes over a mile.