Lucky Hussler produced another outstanding performance to return to winning form in the 2016 Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Lucky Hussler had Glen Boss looking back at his rivals in the 2016 Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Lucky Hussler added another Group 1 victory to his resume when he took out the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11, but there wasn’t a great deal of support for the Husson gelding in the lead-up to the race.
Jockey Glen Boss looked to have Lucky Hussler in an awkward position on the rail coming around the turn, but the talented hoop timed his run perfectly and the six-year-old finished over the top of a gallant Strawberry Boy to take out the Magic Millions Cup.
Boss has developed a winning relationship with Lucky Hussler since he finished second in the Listed Tavern Stakes (1400m) in October of 2014 and he was quick to pay credit to the toughness of the dual Group 1 winner.
“I have so much fondness for this horse,” Boss said.
“Even when he is not 100 percent he gives 100 percent and a huge thanks goes out to the owners.
“He has carried a big weight here today, they have run some time and he is a proper Group 1 performer.
“At the weights you probably think that he is well in to be honest.
“Well done to the Weiry camp – it is nice to be on his coattails every now and again.
“I think this is the only horse I ride in his stable and this one will do me.”
Lucky Hussler did not have the perfect preparation for the Magic Millions Cup after the plane that was set to fly him to the Gold Coast on Wednesday night had issues, but he was still able to deliver trainer Darren Weir a maiden victory on Magic Millions raceday.
“We haven’t had the right horse to bring up here and we have been waiting for the right horse,” Weir said.
“The jockey got a beautiful run midfield on the fence, it was a cool ride and the horse ran terrific.
“It wasn’t a drama really – we were just getting a little bit nervous because it was getting a little bit close to the event, so if we missed the Thursday night flight then things weren’t looking too good.
“We were able to get on and it didn’t affect the horses preparations at all.”
Strawberry Boy was ridden aggressively by James McDonald and he toughed it out bravely to finish second, with the leading duo putting a big gap on the rest of the Magic Millions Cup field.
