Returning to racing in exceptional form this time in, Lucky Hussler has completed at exceptional performance at Caulfield this afternoon; displaying a keen turn of foot to comfortably win the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m).
Lucky Hussler has secured an exceptional victory in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the gates well, the Husson gelding settled within the pack and allowed early leaders Limes, Flamberge and River Lad to set a noticeably quick tempo over the back straight and rounding the bend.
Finding a clear racing line upon reaching the final straight, Lucky Hussler quickly spooled up and charged to the fore of the pack; finding the line more than three lengths in the clear of Under The Louvre; Generalife running on for third.
Jockey Glen Boss delivered an exceptional ride for victory in the 2014 Moonga Stakes, dedicating the win to young hoop Caitlin Forrest who tragically ed away after a fall during the week.
“That one’s for Caitlin. I had a bit to do with this beautiful young woman,” Boss said.
“She had all the attributes to be a great athlete in our industry and to be taken away from us like that is very painful.”
Trainer Darren Weir was understandably thrilled with Lucky Hussler’s victory in the 2013 Moonga Stakes and underlined the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) on November 1st as the next point of call; a race taken out by Boban after victory in the Moonga Stakes in 2013.
“The horse has been racing really well,” Weir said following the Moonga Stakes.
“Probably last start when he got to the front he looked like he needed blinkers and obviously put them on at the right time and got the right result.
“It was a terrific ride; he got into the three-wide lane and went at the right time and put them away quick, so he’s in good order.
“On to the Emirates now I suppose. He’ll get in well on the weights, all his runs since he’s been with us have been good.”
Punters who backed Lucky Hussler at Ladbrokes.com.au will be taking advantage of exceptional $10 odds following his standout performance in the Moonga Stakes.
2014 Moonga Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | LUCKY HUSSLER | Darren Weir | Glen Boss | – | 13 | 57.5kg | $10 |
| 2 | 9 | UNDER THE LOUVRE | Robert Smerdon | Nicholas Hall | 3.25L | 8 | 56.5kg | $7 |
| 3 | 8 | GENERALIFE | John O’Shea | Kerrin McEvoy | 4.25L | 14 | 56.5kg | $7 |
| 4 | 3 | MANAWANUI | Ron Leemon | Tye Angland | 5.25L | 10 | 57.5kg | $8 |
| 5 | 2 | SMOKIN’ JOEY | Wez Hunter | Ben Melham | 5.35L | 4 | 59.5kg | $21 |
| 6 | 4 | FLAMBERGE | Peter G Moody | Chad Schofield | 7.85L | 6 | 57.5kg | $21 |
| 7 | 7 | LIMES | John O’Shea | Steven Arnold | 8.05L | 7 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 8 | 6 | LEEBAZ (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 8.55L | 3 | 57.5kg | $5.50F |
| 9 | 14 | RAIZAN (JPN) | Yoshito Yahagi | Christophe Lemaire | 9.3L | 5 | 56kg | $91 |
| 10 | 1 | RIVER LAD | Natalie McCall | Damien Oliver | 9.4L | 12 | 59.5kg | $14 |
| 11 | 12 | FINAL CRESCENDO | David Kelly | Craig Newitt | 9.6L | 1 | 56kg | $41 |
| 12 | 11 | MUTUAL TRUST (GB) | Sam Pritchard-Gordon | Craig Williams | 10.35L | 11 | 56kg | $26 |
| 13 | 13 | RYKER | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 11.6L | 9 | 56kg | $21 |
| 14 | 10 | IRE INAZUMA (JPN) | Tomoyuki Umeda | Zac Purton | 16.85L | 2 | 56kg | $6.50 |
