Lightning Stakes duel between the Hussler and the Cat
January 27th 2009 10:09
The Group One $A500,000 Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington this coming Saturday is not a match race. There are in total (at nomination time) 17 entries, including Group One sprint winners Swick, Undue, Typhoon Zed and the South African (now David Hayes trained) Seventh Rock - in addition the likes of Queensland sprinting star Swiss Ace and star Perth star Scenic Blast - but most of the interest on the feature Sprint will be focussed on the champions, Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat. The Hussler and the Cat have between them thirteen wins at Group One level.
(photo: Getty)
(photo: Paul Harris)
This will be the first time the two have met. In the past it has been connections of Apache Cat who have steered a path away from a contest with Weekend Hussler and picking the spoils through a Winter Carnival in Queensland instead of challenging in the Autumn sprint classics of 2008.
But something has changed. The aura and status of Apache Cat built ever stronger on his deeds through a Brisbane Winter with his pillage of the best Group Races on offer - and then the much discussed decline of Weekend Hussler in the Melbourne Spring when he did not perform superhero (superhorse) exploits to prove himself a champion stayer, as he had already proved himself a champion sprinter/miler.
One with extra shine and gloss - the other slightly tarnished.
But the experiment in making Weekend Hussler into a stayer is mothballed and Ross McDonald now returns him in the shape and manner of his electrifying three-year-old campaign. Fast.
It could be that now Apache Cat has also found his niche at distances from 1000m to 1400m and is a worthy challenger to the Champion Sprinter title. After all, Weekend Hussler is still being aimed at the riches of the premier mile races of the Asia/Pacific.
When Weekend Hussler returned in the Spring of 2008 in the Liston Stakes at 1400m - first up - I knew he would be different to the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket winning horse of just one preparation (three months) earlier. But I was not expecting this dour version who lacked the electrifying change of gears that he possessed over a sprint course. Of course, in truth, Weekend Hussler had a great Spring with that first-up second to be followed by three consecutive Group wins over 1400m, 1600m, and then 1800m. It was only at his last two starts at 2000m and 2400m where he was to fail. But I loved the Weekend Hussler of the Spring of 2007 and the Autumn of 2008 - fast and furious. Brave and near unbeatable.
This will be Weekend Hussler’s first try at the 1000m trip. His minimum winning distance previously was over 1100m when he decisively won first up in the Autumn of 2008 the Group One Oakleigh Plate.
Weekend Hussler has been scintillating in his lead up track gallops (perhaps relishing a return to sprinting) and has added 30kg since the Spring.
Apache Cat is a dual winner over 1000m - and is defending his title after winning the Lightning Stakes of 2008 - which was to begin his run of five Group One success in a row.
With all being well after the Lightning, the two will meet again in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on February 14, before heading in different directions again.
This is not a match race. But most of the interest will be on Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat.
"This will be his first crack at the distance, but I don't see a problem with that. He won the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) first-up last season, so I don't see much difference.”
“We haven't met before because Apache Cat dodged us last year. He won the Lightning, but didn't stay around for the Oakleigh or the Newmarket, both of which we won. So it will be nice to finally have a crack at The Cat."
"He knows what it's all about and he has that cockiness now of a horse who knows he's better than the rest. He still has a kick out and likes to take a bite of you every now and then, but that's the way he's been all his life. You'd hate to see that change." - Ross McDonald, trainer of Weekend Hussler.
"He’s right on track. He’s looking the best he’s ever looked,. I’m pretty confident we’ll be in front of him (Apache Cat) and over the thousand I think he’ll struggle to get past us. The experiment of trying him as a stayer will work to his advantage. I think you’ll see on Saturday the improvement he has made." - Brad Rawiller, jockey of Apache Cat.
"It will be an interesting race. We won it unexpectedly last year, thinking we might run a place behind Gold Edition, but actually winning it. He will have to put his best foot forward this year against Weekend Hussler, who will make it a difficult contract for us. It seems a promoter's dream and I'm sure Ross has been waiting for this clash for a while. The two horses have great mass public appeal and their first clash is sure to promote huge interest." - Greg Eurell, trainer of Apache Cat.
Weekend Hussler
(photo: Getty)
Apache Cat
(photo: Paul Harris)
This will be the first time the two have met. In the past it has been connections of Apache Cat who have steered a path away from a contest with Weekend Hussler and picking the spoils through a Winter Carnival in Queensland instead of challenging in the Autumn sprint classics of 2008.
But something has changed. The aura and status of Apache Cat built ever stronger on his deeds through a Brisbane Winter with his pillage of the best Group Races on offer - and then the much discussed decline of Weekend Hussler in the Melbourne Spring when he did not perform superhero (superhorse) exploits to prove himself a champion stayer, as he had already proved himself a champion sprinter/miler.
One with extra shine and gloss - the other slightly tarnished.
But the experiment in making Weekend Hussler into a stayer is mothballed and Ross McDonald now returns him in the shape and manner of his electrifying three-year-old campaign. Fast.
It could be that now Apache Cat has also found his niche at distances from 1000m to 1400m and is a worthy challenger to the Champion Sprinter title. After all, Weekend Hussler is still being aimed at the riches of the premier mile races of the Asia/Pacific.
When Weekend Hussler returned in the Spring of 2008 in the Liston Stakes at 1400m - first up - I knew he would be different to the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket winning horse of just one preparation (three months) earlier. But I was not expecting this dour version who lacked the electrifying change of gears that he possessed over a sprint course. Of course, in truth, Weekend Hussler had a great Spring with that first-up second to be followed by three consecutive Group wins over 1400m, 1600m, and then 1800m. It was only at his last two starts at 2000m and 2400m where he was to fail. But I loved the Weekend Hussler of the Spring of 2007 and the Autumn of 2008 - fast and furious. Brave and near unbeatable.
This will be Weekend Hussler’s first try at the 1000m trip. His minimum winning distance previously was over 1100m when he decisively won first up in the Autumn of 2008 the Group One Oakleigh Plate.
Weekend Hussler has been scintillating in his lead up track gallops (perhaps relishing a return to sprinting) and has added 30kg since the Spring.
Apache Cat is a dual winner over 1000m - and is defending his title after winning the Lightning Stakes of 2008 - which was to begin his run of five Group One success in a row.
With all being well after the Lightning, the two will meet again in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on February 14, before heading in different directions again.
This is not a match race. But most of the interest will be on Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat.
"This will be his first crack at the distance, but I don't see a problem with that. He won the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) first-up last season, so I don't see much difference.”
“We haven't met before because Apache Cat dodged us last year. He won the Lightning, but didn't stay around for the Oakleigh or the Newmarket, both of which we won. So it will be nice to finally have a crack at The Cat."
"He knows what it's all about and he has that cockiness now of a horse who knows he's better than the rest. He still has a kick out and likes to take a bite of you every now and then, but that's the way he's been all his life. You'd hate to see that change." - Ross McDonald, trainer of Weekend Hussler.
"He’s right on track. He’s looking the best he’s ever looked,. I’m pretty confident we’ll be in front of him (Apache Cat) and over the thousand I think he’ll struggle to get past us. The experiment of trying him as a stayer will work to his advantage. I think you’ll see on Saturday the improvement he has made." - Brad Rawiller, jockey of Apache Cat.
"It will be an interesting race. We won it unexpectedly last year, thinking we might run a place behind Gold Edition, but actually winning it. He will have to put his best foot forward this year against Weekend Hussler, who will make it a difficult contract for us. It seems a promoter's dream and I'm sure Ross has been waiting for this clash for a while. The two horses have great mass public appeal and their first clash is sure to promote huge interest." - Greg Eurell, trainer of Apache Cat.
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