Australian sprinter/miler Weekend Hussler failed spectacularly last October trying to stay 12f in the G1 Caulfield Cup, but after a spell and by all accounts a significant growth spurt, his connections have mapped out an ambitious plan for his latest campaign. Over the course of the next three months, his trainer Ross McDonald hopes to take down nearly $9.5 million (US $6.4 million) in prize money, with five G1 races from Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong.
January 31—G1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) Flemington
February 14—G1 Australia Stakes (1200m) Moonee Valley
February 28—G1 MRC Futurity Stakes (1600m) Caulfield
March 28—G1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (1777m) Dubai
April 26—G1 Champions Mile (1600m) Sha Tin
Considering he has already earned $3,056,900 (US $2,059,433), the seven-time G1 winning Hussler could be a serious challenger to Curlin’s record in the not-too-distance future—last year’s world number 1 ranked 3-year-old sprinter (according to the IFHA World Thoroughbred Rankings) is a gelding so there’s no rushing him off to the breeding shed.
Isn't Curlin's record just for North American horses though (or at least horses that have made at least one start in North America)?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of world earnings, Curlin ranks fourth behind Japan's T.M. Opera O ($16,200,337) and Deep Impact ($12,825,285); as well as Australia's Makybe Diva ($10,767,186).
Now the question is, does this horse automatically usurp Curlin from his North American earnings title if he comes over and crushes an allowance field at Podunk Downs?
Duh, talk about having a brain fart! I wasn’t thinking about Curlin’s earnings just being for a North American horse. That will teach me not to post before I’ve had my morning coffee :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly would be interesting if he came for the BC Sprint or Turf Mile, maybe won a race here before that...would those earnings then count? And, better yet, could he win an Eclipse?
That horse is a tough one, but that sure is an ambitious schedule.
ReplyDeleteIt's ridiculous they 1) count races outside of North America for North America figures 2) they don't adjust for inflation 3) they don't adjust for over inflation price increases in races (or adjust prize monies accordingly).
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the Hussler's return to racing. He faces a tough one in the Lightning Stakes first up against Melbourne's favourite horse Apache Cat.
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