Another trip to the Gold Coast for a rich Magic Millions race is on the radar for Lucky Hussler after the gelding tries to finish his spring campaign with a second feature win on Zipping Classic day at Sandown.
Lucky Hussler won the 2016 Group Three Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at the Sandown meeting but this year he’ll be lining up in Saturday’s Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m).
Lucky Hussler has been to the Gold Coast for the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) in January for the past two years, winning in 2016 before finishing a luckless seventh as favourite this year.
He has gone into that race off a let-up from the Melbourne spring and trainer Darren Weir’s Warrnambool foreman Jarrod McLean indicated that was the plan again.
“After this we’ll do the same as we’ve done the past two years and get him up there for the 1400-metre Cup,” McLean said.
Lucky Hussler was a dominant winner of the Group Two Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley two starts ago then finished second last in the Group One Kennedy Mile (1600m) two weeks ago.
“He was awesome winning at Moonee Valley and then it was a nothing run in the mile at Flemington,” McLean said.
“Horses that got back in that race just did not come into it.
He said that was shown when stablemate Tosen Stardom finished midfield in that race before coming out a week later and winning the Emirates Stakes.
“He’s in great order and with 60 kilos under the quality conditions. He’s thrown in for mine,” McLean said.
McLean is confident about the chances of Gallic Chieftain in the Listed Sandown Cup, believing the stayer should have won his past two starts when second in the Geelong Cup (2400m) and a closing fifth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
“He just needs a good ride and he’ll win,” McLean said.
Gallic Chieftain is stepping up to 3200m for the first time and is the $2.30 favourite.
“Until you try it you don’t know but he gives every indication that he’ll run the 3200,” McLean said.
