Hussler out for revenge

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Hussler odds-on for eighth Group 1 win


Preview: Australia, Saturday

Moonee Valley: Australia Stakes (Group1) 6f turf

DESPITE being beaten on his comeback two weeks ago, Aussie superstar Weekend Hussler (Ross McDonald/Brad Rawiller) is a short-priced favourite to record his eighth Group 1 victory on Saturday in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Rivalsin the A$400,000 event will include top sprinter Apache Cat, also looking to redeem his reputation after a dismal effort last time, and progressive three-year-old Time Thief.

Weekend Hussler has been trading at odds on in the run-up to the race, despite finishing only fourth over 5f in the Lightning Stakes a fortnight ago, where he was a length and a half behind Scenic Blast.

Mind you, Apache Cat did even worse, running one of his worst races as he beat just two home in a lacklustre ninth position.

Weekend Hussler's trainer Ross McDonald reckons his four-year-old is ready to reproduce his best as he limgers up for a trip to the Dubai Duty Free.

"The Lightning lit the fuse," he said. "He went into the Lightning without a trial because I didn't want him to run first-up over 1,200 metres.

"It was like a 1,000-metre trial and really, he should have still won the other day. It wasn't his fault that he didn't."

Apache Cat's trainer Greg Eurell played down suggestions that his representative has lost his spark in the Lightning.

"When youhave a look at the sectional times, his weren't too bad," Eurell said.

"The way the race was run, it just didn't suit him."

Lee Freedman is trying to topple giants with three-year-old Time Thief.
"Weekend Hussler is obviously the one to beat but I like three-year-olds at weight-for-age," Freedman said.
"Not many have ventured out of the three-year-old ranks so far this season but they have gone really well."

Also on Saturday

Randwick: Light Fingers Stakes (Group 2) 6f turf

With soft ground a possibility after recent rain in Sydney, giving rise to hopes from trainer David Payne that Rock Me Baby, unbeaten in three this session, will be able to exploit a fitness advantage over marquee filly Samantha Miss.

Apache Cat blitzes rivals for seventh Group 1 win


Report: Australia, Saturday
Moonee Valley: Australia Stakes (Group 1) 6f, turf

APACHE CAT, aided by a 10-out-of-10 ride by Damien Oliver, blitzed his rivals with a devastating display of sprinting in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

After losing a good many admirers with a below-par effort in the Lightning Stakes over the straight course at Flemington last time, the real Apache Cat stood up around the tight Moonee Valley circuit, and in the process completed back-to-back wins in the $A400,000 (£182,000) feature.

Superstar Weekend Hussler, the hot favourite, again disappointed in fifth after being fanned wide.

Oliver, having his first ride on the horse since the Doncaster Handicap in April 2007, settled Apache Cat in a beautiful position fourth one off the fence as Time Thief and Tesbury Jack had turns in the lead.

With three furlongs to run, Oliver moved his mount up three wide around the leaders, pushing favourite Weekend Hussler out four wide as the home turn loomed.

Soon after, Apache Cat assumed control effortlessly and raced clear for a dominant win. The margin was three lengths over the fast-finishing Vormista, with Time Thief a game third a neck back.

Apache Cat, sent out a 5-1 chance, was winning his seventh Group 1 race and was timed to run the 6f in 1min09.64secs, with the last 3f in 35.12sec.

Trainer Greg Eurell was elated and said: “It’s unbelievable – it’s a wonderful feeling to watch him do what he did.

“He was always in the right spot and when he shot clear it was a sensational feeling.

“He’ll go to the paddock now for a well-earned rest. Today gives us plenty to think about for the future.”

Weekend Hussler’s performance can be regarded as a major disappointment, despite his being trapped wide