Scott 5Weekend Hussler - Australian Racehorse of the Year
September 2nd 2008 01:08
WEEKEND HUSSLER NAMED 2007-08 AUSTRALIAN RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR
SIX-time Group 1 winner Weekend Hussler has been named the 2007-08 Australian Racehorse of the Year presented by Sky Channel, at a glittering black tie affair at the Palladium at Crown in Melbourne tonight.
Weekend Hussler earned 82 per cent of the overall votes to cap an extraordinary first season of racing and cement his standing as one of the most exciting gallopers Australia has ever produced.
The gelding also becomes the first three-year-old since Octagonal in 1995-96 to be crowned
Australian Racehorse of the Year.
Ironically, Weekend Hussler’s victory comes on the eve of the anniversary of his maiden win at Cranbourne.
In two amazing months last spring, the Ross McDonald-trained superstar had raced away with a Group 1 double – The Age Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield and the Coolmore Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
But it was earlier this year that the world took notice of the ‘Hussler’ when he won four straight Group 1s – the Ultra Tune Oakleigh Plate (1100m), the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne, followed by The Randwick Guineas (1600m) and George Ryder Stakes (1500m) against Sydney’s best weight-for-age stars.
These performances saw Weekend Hussler rated the world’s equal best miler and second best sprinter behind Hong Kong superstar Sacred Kingdom.
IIn a memorable night for connections, the ‘Hussler’ was also crowned the New Zealand
Thoroughbred Marketing Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding.
The other highlight of the evening was the elevation of 80-year-old Cups King Bart Cummings
to Legend status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Cummings joins last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Legend, Phar Lap.
Cummings has re-written the record books in Australian racing since winning the first of his 11 Melbourne Cups with Light Fingers in 1965. Bart has also trained the Cup quinella five times and his Group 1 tally of winners currently stands at 249.
Seven racing icons were also officially inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Champion mares of the past Tranquil Star and Wenona Girl were joined by associate Percy Miller, trainers Bob Hoysted and David Hayes and champion jockeys Frank Dempsey and
Damien Oliver.
The full list of Award winners:
Champion Group 1 Jockey: Corey Brown
Champion Group 1 Trainer: Ross McDonald
IRT Champion International Performer: Takeover Target
Crown Towers Champion Jumper: Some Are Bent
Carrazzo Consulting CPA’s Champion Sire: Encosta de Lago
Yallambee Stud Champion 2YO: Sebring
New Zealand Bloodstock Champion 3YO Filly: Heavenly Glow
NZ Thoroughbred Marketing Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding: Weekend Hussler
Inglis Champion Sprinter: Apache Cat
Mitty’s Champion Middle Distance Performer: El Segundo
Eliza Park Stud Champion Stayer: Efficient
Australian Racehorse of the Year presented by Sky Channel: Weekend Hussler\
Weekend Hussler is the Australian Racehorse of the Year
Weekend Hussler earned 82 per cent of the overall votes to cap an extraordinary first season of racing and cement his standing as one of the most exciting gallopers Australia has ever produced.
The gelding also becomes the first three-year-old since Octagonal in 1995-96 to be crowned
Australian Racehorse of the Year.
Ironically, Weekend Hussler’s victory comes on the eve of the anniversary of his maiden win at Cranbourne.
In two amazing months last spring, the Ross McDonald-trained superstar had raced away with a Group 1 double – The Age Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield and the Coolmore Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
But it was earlier this year that the world took notice of the ‘Hussler’ when he won four straight Group 1s – the Ultra Tune Oakleigh Plate (1100m), the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne, followed by The Randwick Guineas (1600m) and George Ryder Stakes (1500m) against Sydney’s best weight-for-age stars.
These performances saw Weekend Hussler rated the world’s equal best miler and second best sprinter behind Hong Kong superstar Sacred Kingdom.
IIn a memorable night for connections, the ‘Hussler’ was also crowned the New Zealand
Thoroughbred Marketing Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding.
The other highlight of the evening was the elevation of 80-year-old Cups King Bart Cummings
to Legend status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Cummings joins last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Legend, Phar Lap.
Cummings has re-written the record books in Australian racing since winning the first of his 11 Melbourne Cups with Light Fingers in 1965. Bart has also trained the Cup quinella five times and his Group 1 tally of winners currently stands at 249.
Seven racing icons were also officially inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Champion mares of the past Tranquil Star and Wenona Girl were joined by associate Percy Miller, trainers Bob Hoysted and David Hayes and champion jockeys Frank Dempsey and
Damien Oliver.
The full list of Award winners:
Champion Group 1 Jockey: Corey Brown
Champion Group 1 Trainer: Ross McDonald
IRT Champion International Performer: Takeover Target
Crown Towers Champion Jumper: Some Are Bent
Carrazzo Consulting CPA’s Champion Sire: Encosta de Lago
Yallambee Stud Champion 2YO: Sebring
New Zealand Bloodstock Champion 3YO Filly: Heavenly Glow
NZ Thoroughbred Marketing Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding: Weekend Hussler
Inglis Champion Sprinter: Apache Cat
Mitty’s Champion Middle Distance Performer: El Segundo
Eliza Park Stud Champion Stayer: Efficient
Australian Racehorse of the Year presented by Sky Channel: Weekend Hussler\
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