Weekend Hussler confirmed his super-star status and became an even shorter priced Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate favourite with a hard-fought victory in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.Despite racing three-wide facing the breeze as trainer Ross McDonald predicted he might do to keep out of trouble, Weekend Hussler ($1.55 fav) wore down race leader Maldivian, who kicked clear early in the straight.At his first try beyond 1600m in the 1800m weight-for-age feature, he comfortably held out Pompeii Ru
Weekend Hussler confirmed his super-star status and became an even shorter priced Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate favourite with a hard-fought victory in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
Despite racing three-wide facing the breeze as trainer Ross McDonald predicted he might do to keep out of trouble, Weekend Hussler ($1.55 fav) wore down race leader Maldivian, who kicked clear early in the straight.
At his first try beyond 1600m in the 1800m weight-for-age feature, he comfortably held out Pompeii Ruler to land his seventh Group One win inside the past 12 months, his first being the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 13 last year.
The Hussonet four-year-old made it 12 wins from 15 starts when he had three-quarters of a length to spare over Pompeii Ruler with Littorio two lengths away third.
Maldivian weakened over the last 100 metres to finish fourth with Zarita fifth.
Weekend Hussler is now at $3 for the Caulfield Cup with TAB Sportsbet and Betstar and at $2.80 for the Cox Plate with bookmakers suffering after his win following heavy support for the past three days.
"I thought it was pretty good. He sat three-wide all the way and did all the work," McDonald said.
"Maldivian got a kick on him but he ran him down in the end and did it pretty well."
After an impressive track gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday, McDonald's son Clinton had said Weekend Hussler had gone to another level this week and he was right.
The Caulfield trainer now plans to take the gelding to the Yalumba Stakes (2000m) on his home track on October 11, a break of three weeks.
Then he'll back up in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) a week later before a decision is made on backing up again in the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week after that.
Jockey Brad Rawiller said he was looking forward to riding Weekend Hussler in the big races such as the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.
"He's not at the end of his tether. He still has a way to go," he said.
Trainer Mick Price had mixed emotions after the race with Pompeii Ruler putting in a blinder to run second while Light Fantastic dropped out to finish second last after he was under heavy riding from rider Craig Newitt 700m out.
Price said Light Fantastic would have a thorough vet test this week before his immediate future is decided.
Steven Arnold, riding Pompeii Ruler for the first time in a race, was impressed with his effort to follow Weekend Hussler and keep coming after being forced to make his move out four wide down the side.
Steven King had a big smile on his face due to the effort of his mount Littorio who came from last on settling to finish third, living up to his first-up Makybe Diva Stakes third placing at Flemington and he is looking a threat in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Maldivian looked the winner for a few strides but his rider Michael Rodd said he struggled over the last 100m.
"He's such a big gross horse that trackwork is not enough. We need to race him to get him to peak fitness," he said.
Greg Childs said he couldn't get in on Zarita who worked home for an encouraging fifth after racing wide.
"I wanted to follow Weekend Hussler like I did last time but Pompeii Ruler held that position with Light Fantastic was on his inside," he said.
"I then tried to come back and get in behind Pompeii Ruler and couldn't so considering that it was a very good effort and it was only 1800m, she likes a longer journey."