Ross McDonald says Weekend Hussler may be forced to lead in Saturday's Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley if nothing else wants to take up the role in the small field of seven.Weekend Hussler is normally an on-pace runner but the only time he led in a race was when he won a Cranbourne maiden at his second start.Both McDonald and Apache Cat's trainer Greg Eurell believe giant Gippsland sprinter Tesbury Jack will try to lead all the way.But if there is no early speed in the Group One 1200m feature,

Ross McDonald says Weekend Hussler may be forced to lead in Saturday's Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley if nothing else wants to take up the role in the small field of seven.

Weekend Hussler is normally an on-pace runner but the only time he led in a race was when he won a Cranbourne maiden at his second start.

Both McDonald and Apache Cat's trainer Greg Eurell believe giant Gippsland sprinter Tesbury Jack will try to lead all the way.

But if there is no early speed in the Group One 1200m feature, McDonald said Weekend Hussler may take up the running as he chases his eighth Group One success.

"We think we've got the best horse and I'd like to see him (jockey Brad Rawiller) keep him out of trouble and do his own thing. If they want to come from behind him and beat him, maybe we will lead," he said.

Weekend Hussler drew barrier three, immediately on the outside of his main rival Apache Cat, while Tesbury jack will jump from gate five.

Eurell admitted he would have preferred reigning Australia Stakes winner Apache Cat to draw out in six even though he won the race from barrier two last year.

"He likes a bit of room," he said.

Eurell feels even though it will be "very difficult" to give Weekend Hussler a start and a beating, he believes it is Apache Cat's best chance of landing his seventh Group One victory.

"He's a horse who has to get into a rhythm, to jump and come back quietly, not be involved in the hustle and bustle early and then come into the race," he said.

Weekend Hussler is $1.60 favourite to end his run of three successive defeats at what is his first Valley start while Apache Cat, who has been beaten at his past four outings, is at $5.50 in TAB Sportsbet's fixed odds market.

Joining Apache Cat at that price is Caulfield Guineas runner-up Time Thief who is considered the only other winning chance with Tesbury Jack and Vormista next best at $18.

Vormista is resuming and back with her original trainer Mark Minervini after a stint with Russell Cameron last spring.

The Testa Rossa mare went down by a head when runner-up to Apache Cat in the Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben last May.

She has also shown a liking for Moonee Valley where she ran Gold Edition to long neck when runner-up in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) in 2007.

Redoute's Choice colt Time Thief won at his only appearance at the Valley when making his debut over 1000m in August last year and Lee Freedman has a huge opinion of the three-year-old who last start resumed with a comfortable win in the Zeditave Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last month.

Freedman's racing manager Sam Pritchard-Gordon said taking on the likes of Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat at weight-for-age in only his second preparation and at his first test against older horses would be important for the potential stallion.

"He's still learning and being a very valuable colt the stable wants to give him the opportunity to enhance his record in races such as this," he said.