Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Reigning Horse of the Year, Weekend Hussler is heading to the paddock after trainer Ross McDonald elected to abort his autumn campaign.

This morning’s Daily Telegraph revealed McDonald is still not 100 per cent happy with his star galloper after abandoning plans to run in last Saturday’s Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

The news rules out the possibility of a Sydney trip during the autumn carnival meaning Sydney racing fans have lost the chance to see racing’s two biggest drawcards following last week’s announcement that Samantha Miss had succumbed to a tendon injury.

“I still have a few issues with him,” McDonald said.

“I was hoping to run him in Melbourne this Saturday but have decided against it.

That doesn’t leave us with enough time to get him ready for Sydney so we have decided to get him right first and then have a decent break.”

Melbourne and Sydney’s misfortune could be a blessing for the Queensland winter carnival with McDonald considering a trip north should Weened Hussler’s recovery go as he wishes.

“I will probably nominate him for the Stradbroke and we may go to Brisbane with him or might just hold off for the spring.

“It all depends on the horse.”