Figures add up for Lucky Hussler in Toorak Handicap

Big race jockey Glen Boss has done his sums and says the figures add up for Lucky Hussler to win the Group 1 $400,000 David Jones NBCF Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Lucky Hussler is one of the top chances in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Lucky Hussler is one of the top chances in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Boss has been aboard Lucky Hussler at his last eight starts including his latest when he went to the line under double wraps when sixth to stablemate Stratum Star and Disposition in the Group 1 $400,000 Anthea Crawford Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 26.

The three times Melbourne Cup winning jockey was also aboard when Lucky Hussler when took out the Group 1 $400,000 Brown Baldwin William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley during the Melblurne Autumn Carnival earlier in the year.

Boss had nowhere to go on Lucky Hussler in the straight in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and said with a bit of clear running he would have been right in the finish.

This week the Darren Weir trained galloper has drawn a good barrier again at four, meets Stratum Star and Disposition better at the weights and Boss feels the 1600m third up is ideal.

“All weights and measures say that he should just about win the race,” Boss told racing.com.

“So third-up over the mile, with the benefit of those two runs, and now he’s meeting those horses so much better at the weights.”

Even though Lucky Hussler was beaten over a length and half at Cauulfield last start, Boss had plenty of positives to come out of the race.

“What was good about that (run) was he probably should have won the other day and he certainly wasn’t ready in condition to win and the weights suggested he shouldn’t win,” Boss said.

“So he had a few things against him, not only the interference in the race that he copped, but with all that against he probably still should have won.”

If you fancy a wager on Lucky Hussler in the Toorak Handicap, you can get over the odds if you log onto Ladbrokes.com.au and take up the special Caulfield Guineas Race Day offer of Best Tote or SP + 20% that is available on all ten RACES at Caulfield on Saturday up to a maximum bet of $50.

Lucky Hussler is currently on the second line of betting for the Toorak Handicap at $5.50 behind Ladbrokes.com.au $4.80 favourite Disposition.

Stratum Star is marled at $6.50 to make it back to back Group 1 wins and emulate stablemate Trust In A Gust who took out the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – Toorak Handicap double last year.

Toorak Handicap market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Disposition, $5.50 Lucky Hussler, $6.50 Stratum Star, $9 Noble Protector, $13 Strawberry Boy, $14 Abidewithme, $15 Hi World, Ninth Legion, $16 Kenjorwood, $17 Flamingo Star, $18 Hopfgarten, $20 Akavoroun, $41 Jacquinot Bay, $51 Rhythm To Spare, Moonovermanhatten, $71 Leebaz, Puccini.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.