Weekend Hussler Wins Gong In A Canter

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday September 2, 2008

John Schell

SIX-TIME group 1 winner Weekend Hussler last night joined some of the greats of the Australian turf when he was announced as Horse of the Year at an awards ceremony in Melbourne.

The Ross McDonald-trained Weekend Hussler, which last season equalled the mighty Kingston Town's record of six group 1s in a season, was a runaway winner from Apache Cat, which won five group 1s in succession.

Weekend Hussler resumed from a spell this campaign with a second in the Liston Stakes behind Light Fantastic at Caulfield. The gelding was then back to his best when winning the Memsie Stakes at the weekend.

McDonald yesterday nominated Weekend Hussler for a return clash with Light Fantastic in Saturday's $500,000 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington but will not decide on a start until later this week.

Weekend Hussler is equal favourite with Light Fantastic for the Cox Plate, a race Kingston Town won three times, at Moonee Valley on October 25.

Melbourne Cup winner Efficient romped home in the champion stayer category and owner Lloyd Williams has nominated the grey for the Makybe Diva Stakes as well as stablemate Zipping.

Eighteen nominations were received for the Makybe Diva including Victoria Derby winner Kibbutz, derby runner-up Littorio, Rosehill Guineas winner Dealer Principal and Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly.

Queensland Oaks and Derby winner Riva San was also nominated for that race as well as the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick in which Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour heads up just seven nominations.

While Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse had to settle for second with her multiple group 1 winner Tuesday Joy in the champion stayer category, she dominated two-year-old honours with her Golden Slipper hero Sebring a clear-cut winner and unbeaten stablemate Amelia's Dream coming in second.

NSW filly Heavenly Glow secured the champion three-year-old filly crown on the back of a group 1 double in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes and AJC Oaks.

Apache Cat gained recognition as champion sprinter, an award he won clearly over Weekend Hussler, while last year's Cox Plate winner El Segundo was named champion middle-distance performer.

Trainer Robert Smerdon's tough horse Some Are Bent won the champion jumper crown for the second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, the Australian Racing Hall of Fame last night announced Bart Cummings had joined Phar Lap as its only other "legend" of the turf. At the age of 80, Australia's greatest living trainer is setting his sights on training a 12th Melbourne Cup winner in November.

THE WINNERS

Australian Horse of the Year: Weekend Hussler

Champion 2YO: Sebring

Champion stayer: Efficient

Champion 3YO colt and gelding: Weekend Hussler

Champion 3YO filly: Heavenly Glow

Champion sprinter: Apache Cat

Champion middle distance galloper: El Segundo

Champion jumper: Some Are Bent

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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