Breeding & Racing Magazine

Timeform Rates Hussler Best Newmarket Winner In 20 Years

Following his triumph against older rivals in the Gr1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington a week ago, boom 3YO gelding Weekend Hussler (Hussonet-Weekend Beauty, by Helissio) "has been rated the best Newmarket winner of the last 20 years, according to form expert Gary Crispe" reported The Daily Telegraph. Crispe (compiler of the official Australian Timeform ratings) "has assessed Weekend Hussler's Newmarket win at an extraordinary 127" & he explained: "In terms of Timeform ratings, Weekend Hussler went to a new master rating in the Newmarket of 127, making him the highest-rated winner of the race in the last 20 years. That is no mean feat. Champion sprinters Miss Andretti went 126 winning the Newmarket last year, as did fellow 3YO Exceed And Excel in 2003, while Takeover Target & Alinghi went 125 in their respective wins. Lumping 56kg, he gave weight & age away to most of his rivals, yet proved far superior to a quality sprinter Magnus, who had also run 2nd to him in the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate. Not since Baguette in 1971 had a 3YO carried that weight to victory in the Newmarket." Weekend Hussler (an $80,000 yearling consigned by Arrowfield Stud at the 2006 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale) now has 7 wins (also including his previous start in the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m at Caulfield on February 23, plus 2006's Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington & Gr1 Caulfield Guineas over 1600m) from 9 starts for $1,817,900 earnings.