Everything Perfect Till The Turn, Says Hussler's Rider

Sun Herald

Sunday October 19, 2008

CRAIG YOUNG

THE expectation was suffocating but Brad Rawiller rode positively on the wonder horse Weekend Hussler. The Caulfield Cup was the Horse of the Year's first trip over 2400m and, while sent out second favourite, it was all over at the top of the home straight.

"Everything went perfect through the run," Rawiller said. "I couldn't have been happier how things panned out."

From barrier nine Weekend Hussler was sent forward and dropped down onto the running rail out of the straight the first time. From fourth on the fence, Rawiller was one-off at the halfway mark.

"I could have held up down the side but we hadn't spent a penny in the run and we were entitled to track into it," Rawiller said.

"I didn't want to be second-guessing if we were going to get out. On top of that he had 57kg, which is tough on a horse that hasn't been over 2400m.

At the 600m mark Rawiller peeled three wide.

"He was looking pretty good for us but, virtually before straightening up, I knew we were struggling," Rawiller said. "He wasn't travelling like he does at his right trip. Normally he goes into another gear again when he is tackled but he was gone at the turn."

Weekend Hussler's trainer Ross McDonald has all but given up running the horse in Saturday's Cox Plate.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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