In-form Sydney jockey Blake Shinn made it four wins on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day when he steered Lucky Hussler to victory in the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley today.
Lucky Hussler, above, is back in the winner’s stall with victory in the Crystal Mile at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
A cracking pace up front from Hugh Bowman on Religify and Mark Zahra on Burning Front set the race up nicely Lucky Hussler who was able to run over the two pacemakers.
The Darren Weir trained Lucky Hussler was sent out at the good odds of $9 and the dual Group 1 winner was able to find his old winning for the first time in almost twelve months.
The Chris Waller trained Religify ($5) put in a great effort to hang on for second while It’s Somewhat, the solid $4.40 favourite, only battled away for third.
The winner’s stablemate, Burning Front, who tried to match strides with Religify in the early and middle stages faded in the straight to finish fifth.
“The way the race was run, if he was ever going to run well it was today. He loves Moonee Valley, the speed was on,” Weir said.
“At the 600m he got off the fence and stared tracking into it. He looked to be jogging to me and ran away with it really well.”
“It is nice to have him back.”
Weir said that Lucky Hussler has had some several minor issues over the last twelve months and congratulated his team on getting him back to the winner’s stall.
“He’s has had a few little niggling problems and the crew has done a great job in getting him back to winning form.”
