Jockey Brad Rawiller expects that racing at Moonee Valley for the first time will not worry Weekend Hussler in the group one Australia Stakes on Saturday.
Weekend Hussler has drawn gate three in the field of seven as he attempts to snap a three-race losing streak in theA$400,000 ($508,000) 1200-metre weight-for-age feature after an unlucky first-up fourth to Scenic Blast in last month's Lightning Stakes.
Rawiller was critical of his own ride on the 4-year-old in the Lightning and trainer Ross McDonald vented his displeasure with how the horse was ridden and inability to get clear galloping room.
The tight, turning track at the Valley could pose the biggest threat to Weekend Hussler but Rawiller is confident he will handle it, as is TAB Sportsbet which has installed him as $1.55 favourite.
"He worked at Moonee Valley last month and he went very well," Rawiller said last night. "He has been a very adaptable horse wherever he has gone because of his professionalism.
"He handled going down the straight at Flemington and handled going to Sydney so I can't see Moonee Valley being a concern."
Trainer Tony Vasil decided against running Moonee Valley specialist Lucky Secret in the Australia Stakes but last year's winner Apache Cat, Mind Your Head, Tesbury Jack, Vormista, Orange County and 3-year-old Time Thief make it an interesting contest.
Rawiller said upsets were always possible in small fields and he was wary of every horse.
"You can't go in there without respecting every runner," he said. "You just know small fields can be tricky-run races and they are a race of tactics.
"But I have the horse underneath me that can handle any situation. He is the best horse in the race and I will let the rest take care of itself."
Mind Your Head ($21) and Apache Cat ($4.80) are drawn inside Weekend Hussler.
