News

Weekend Hussler in consideration for Sydney, Brisbane races

25th Feb 2009

Herald Sun - Adrian Dunn and Michael Manley - Thursday, 26 February 2009

WEEKEND Hussler's global odyssey has been scuttled, but trainer Ross McDonald has not ruled out a Sydney or Brisbane campaign this season.

McDonald said yesterday the 1500m George Ryder (Rosehill, April 4), a race Weekend Hussler won last year, the 1600m Doncaster Mile (Randwick, April 18) and the 1350m Doomben 10,000 (May 23) were considerations.

But he said his priority was for the horse to recover from the wrenched back muscle he suffered in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on February 14.

Weekend Hussler was yesterday a non-acceptor for Saturday's Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield and McDonald said the four-year-old would not race in Dubai or Hong Kong in the coming months.

"We're going to back off him and get him right," McDonald said.

"We ran out of time for the Futurity. He pulled up fine on Tuesday after working and he went out this morning and (track rider) Les (Beer) just said he's not right.

"It's disappointing for everyone, but the main thing is to get him right, get him back and we'll have more fun with him."

McDonald's wife, Margaret, said there was also pain in the four-year-old's off-side front joint.

Weekend Hussler is likely to spend an undetermined time at the beach, possibly at Warrnambool, in a bid to rejuvenate him physically and mentally.

"He's just not a happy horse. He's definitely feeling his back and his off-side joint. He was uncomfortable this morning. He looks miserable and depressed," Margaret McDonald said.

"We need to get him back mentally thinking he's the best horse in the country, which he is. It's gut-wrenching. Our whole life had been getting him ready for the Futurity and Dubai for several months. It's absolutely devastating."

Mick Price dominates the Futurity with stablemates Alamosa and Light Fantastic.

TAB Sportsbet has Alamosa as $2.80 favourite, with Light Fantastic $3.20.