Weir eyes trip west for Lucky Hussler
Leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir is weighing up a tilt at the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) with Lucky Hussler after lodging a late entry yesterday.
Rejuvenated since joining Weir's stables earlier this year, Lucky Hussler was a close second to Hucklebuck in Saturday's Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
The five-year-old was placed behind Atlante, Trust In A Gust and Under The Louvre before claiming the Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield by 3¼ lengths last month.
Managing owner Glenn Makauskas is keen for Lucky Hussler to contest Saturday week's $1 million Railway at Ascot.
Weir will continue to monitor Lucky Hussler after he jarred up after the Emirates.
"The owners are keen to go and we'll see how he goes this week," Weir said. "He came through the run all right. Hopefully he goes well if he goes across."
The TAB took no risks with Lucky Hussler, installing him a $5.25 favourite after his late addition to the Railway field.
Connections avoided paying a late entry fee as part of a new condition of the Railway. The Emirates winner and placegetter can be entered before the closing of second late entries at the cost of a standard nomination.
The same condition applies for the first three across the line in the Darley Classic (1200m) for entry into the $750,000 Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Chief handicapper David Hunter yesterday installed Moment Of Change the Railway topweight with 59kg.
Popular Tasmanian gelding The Cleaner received 58kg and the Chris Waller-trained Moriarty will carry 57kg. Lucky Hussler received 56kg.
"If Moment Of Change goes to the Winterbottom, weights won't change provided The Cleaner is here," Hunter said.
"We spoke with Peter Moody about his plans with Moment Of Change, but he wanted to leave it in both races for now."
Mr Moet, the winner of the 2012 Railway, is the highest-weighted WA galloper with 55.5kg. Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) winner Elite Belle will carry 53.5kg.
·Stewards yesterday cleared trainer Grant Williams of any wrongdoing at an inquiry into the discovery of a puncture wound and blood on Gottabeyou's neck before a race at Ascot in March.
He came through the run all right."Darren Weir
