DARREN Weir believes Lucky Hussler can take over the mantle from some of the stable’s outgoing stars.
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The former Brisbane galloper, who transferred to Weir before last preparation, secured the Ballarat trainer’s third Victorian group 1 win with a dominant victory in the William Reid Stakes, 1200m, at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Lucky Hussler has arrived on the scene as a genuine top-class horse at a time when fellow Weir group 1 winners Trust In A Gust and Platelet are preparing to join one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune in retirement.
Weir said Lucky Hussler had returned a “bomb-proof” horse in his second preparation with the stable and would now be sent towards the All Aged Stakes, 1400m, in Sydney on April 18.
Trust In A Gust was originally set to run in the William Reid on Friday night, but is now being set for a first-up tilt in the VOBIS Gold Sprint, 1200m, at Caulfield, also on April 18.
The horse will then be sent towards the Brisbane carnival, with runs in the BTC Cup, 1200m, Doomben 10,000, 1350m, and Stradbroke Handicap, 1400m, before heading to Swettenham Stud.
“The owners still get to race the horse this preparation, but obviously he is a high-class horse and (Swettenham Stud owner) Adam (Sangster) has bought into him, so he will get involved as well,” Weir said.
Platelet, who won the final heat of the 55 Second Challenge, 955m, at Moonee Valley on Friday night, will have three more races, concluding with the Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide, before also heading to the breeding barn.
TALENTED jumper Beer Garden tuned up for his Oakbank assault with a 12-length romp at Warrnambool on Sunday.
The eight-year-old leapt to his second jumps victory this campaign in the Bill Phillpot OAM Hurdle, 3225m, and now sets sights on the Yalumba Hurdle, 3600m, at Oakbank on Easter Monday.
FORMER Ballarat-based jockey Jack Hill is showing positive signs following a race fall at Donald on Friday.
Hill’s condition was revised on Monday by doctors at Melbourne’s The Alfred hospital from critical but stable to serious but stable.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au
With AAP