Poor Turnout To See Champ Tough It Out

Sun Herald

Sunday March 30, 2008

Max Presnell

Only the shortest possible margin in Weekend Hussler's favour saved Royal Randwick yesterday from a disappointing day. Weekend Hussler, already described as a budding champion, could draw only 8300 for his Sydney debut in the Randwick Guineas, about 10,000 less than rolled up to headquarters the previous Saturday. So much for top horses being drawcards in the modern era.

Still, Weekend Hussler was able to prevail after a hectic struggle in a decision that to the eye, and on television screens, couldn't be deciphered. It was a triumph of character and will to win if not the overwhelming performance from a three-year-old which started at $1.65.

Earlier, the events for two-year-olds - the Sweet Embrace and Skyline stakes - were expected to produce major contenders for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill on April 19.

With Portillo, the likely favourite scratched yesterday morning, Stripper was able to nose out Glowlamp in the Sweet Embrace. A wag commented that Amelia's Dream, which beat Glowlamp by six lengths in the Silver Slipper, would have been able to beat yesterday's youngsters with a leg in plaster.

Amelia's Dream went amiss and stablemate Sebring, also trained by Gai Waterhouse, remains the top pick for the Slipper but he, too, has to hold together. Sebring won't have another race before his Rosehill engagement but Waterhouse said Sebring had galloped in a pleasing manner at Randwick yesterday.

Getting something of a cotton-wool preparation, Sebring will be tuned with only a barrier trial - which does nothing for the comfort factor of his supporters.

Portillo would have been hard to beat in the Sweet Embrace and trainer Peter Snowden explained her problem was only minor and she is expected to run in the Reisling at Canterbury on Saturday.

"It's not the preferred option but one which we must take because of the cards that were dealt," he said.

Stripper bolstered another form line, as she went down to Sugar Babe at her previous Rosehill start and Sugar Babe did enough from a very wide gate in the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast to remain a top-bracket Slipper chance.

Sugar Babe with All American, the David Hayes-trained colt, which won the Skyline, confirmed there was little between the Sydney and Melbourne two-year-olds.

With the possible exception of Sebring, the youth talent is thin. All American, with Brad Rawiller up, will improve but had to struggle to beat the Sydney pair Over The Wicket and Dubai To Sydney.

They had been well tried and well beaten previously.

Brad Rawiller had an even more desperate ride on Weekend Hussler. Under the set-weight conditions Weekend Hussler was expected to overwhelm his opposition, but his tremendous will-to-win again came to the fore. Having his first start the Sydney way, Weekend Hussler was about as comfortable as a camel on an ice rink.

With the other Rawiller, brother Nash, using his distinctive body-throwing action in the saddle, he nearly beat his mount Triple Honour to the finish. Three lengths separated the first eight so the form is suspect.

However, master trainer Bart Cummings saw considerable courage in Weekend Hussler.

"He did well considering the skin he lost," Cummings said.

Weekend Hussler, which also had a float scrape on his way to the track, gives the impression his travelling companion is a tiger.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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