Premier trainer Darren Weir scores back to back wins in the Group 1 $400,000 David Jones NBCF Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield today with Lucky Hussler dominating his opposition.
Jockey Glen Boss stands high in the irons as Lucky Hussler crosses the line to take out the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Weir won last year’s version with Trust In A Gust and Lucky Hussler was able to claim the front at the fifty metre mark and winning jockey Glen Boss was able to stand up in the irons before the finishing post indicating the ease of the win.
Boss was able to settle Lucky Hussler in the second half of the field and at one stage mid race, only had two runners behind him.
From the 600m Boss started to make his move forward and snuck up behind the front division coming to the home turn.
Under the top weight of 58kg, Boss was keen to keep Lucky Hussler balanced but ran into a tight situation when he tried to squeeze in between runners at the top of the straight.
Boss persevered and the split came and once in the clear it was apparent that Luckly Hussler ($6) was to going to claim his second Group 1 trophy, beating the $5 favourite Disposition by one and quarter lengths with the winner’s stablemate Stratum Star ($8) a close up third.
The Husson six year old had earlier in the year during the Melbourne Autumn Carnival won the Group 1 $400,000 Brown Baldwin William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley with Boss in the saddle.
“He had no luck the other day and he was meeting them all better at weights and stepping up to the mile,” Boss said.
“This time he (Weir) brought him in a much bigger horse and today was one of his peak days.”
“He should go on again from this.”
Weir has his eyes sight on another Group 1 prize and will now set Lucky Hussler for the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 7 after running in the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day in two weeks.
“Probably go to the Valley for that mile race there and then onto the Emirates,” Weir said.
“It was a great win and he got into a bit of a bustling duel on the corner too, so to the horse’s credit he stuck it out great.”
Weir was also happy with the performance of third placegetter Stratum Star today after he won the Group 1 $400,000 Anthea Crawford Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
“He ran great. We pinpointed those two races for him after his three year old year. I thought they were the right races for that horse after we were able to do it with Trust In A Gust,” Weir said.
