Weekend Hussler underlined his star status with an explosive victory in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
The gelding was having his first start at the track and dropping from the 1600m of the Caulfield Guineas to 1200m but still proved classes above his
rivals.
The field of eight all came to the outside fence and jockey Brad Rawiller was content to camp Weekend Hussler behind the speed before asking for an effort over the final 200m.
He took a couple of strides to hit top gear but once he did Weekend Hussler ($1.65 fav) put paid to his rivals in a matter of bounds, striding clear to beat a gallant Bel Mer ($21) by 2 1/2 lengths.
"I just thought I'll go wherever they go because I'm on the best horse," Rawiller said.
"He's unbelievable. Unstoppable."
Ross McDonald, who prepared 1985 Caulfield Cup winner Tristarc, declared the gelding the best horse he had trained.
"He's the best I've ever had," he said.
"He hadn't been to Flemington and we didn't want him going to the front too early because he might have got lost with the big crowd.
"Brad said he had them covered all the way, he thought he was just going to win. He said he gave him a couple around the backside and he said he just dropped down another gear, he reckons he's a freak."
Weekend Hussler has now won five of his six starts with his only defeat coming on debut at Sale in August.
McDonald will see how he comes through the run before deciding whether to back him up against the older horses in the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the course next Saturday.
He is likely to get around 51kg in the Emirates with Danny Nikolic put on standby for the mount as Rawiller, who has been booked for the David Hayes-trained Niconero, is unable to make that weight.
McDonald said Weekend Hussler would have a light autumn with the A$1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill the target.
In the spring the Cox Plate and possibly even the Melbourne Cup await.
Trainer Mick Price and jockey Blake Shinn were rapt with of Bel Mer, who will now be spelled and return for an autumn campaign.
- AAP
