As racing in Tasmania is currently restricted to the synthetic track at Devonport, Oaks winner Shady Hustle is set for her mainland debut at Flemington.
Now at Cranbourne with Doug Harrison, Shady Hustle runs first-up in Saturday’s RMBL Rising Stars Final over 1400m.
A winner of four of her six starts, including the Listed Tasmanian Oaks in February at her latest outing, Shady Hustle has been in the care of Harrison for just over two weeks after doing her early work in Tasmania.
Also nominated for a 1200m three-year-old race on Saturday, connections feel the 1400m contest a better option for the staying filly.
“They got her ready over there with a few gallops and we’ve had her over here and given her a trial at Cranbourne,” Harrison said.
“She didn’t really like the wet. She got through it, but only just.
“She’s a really nice filly, very athletic and looking at her runs she’s a little unlucky to have been beaten, I think.”
Harrison’s preparation of fellow Tasmanian My Biddy, a two-time placegetter in Melbourne, led to him gaining Shady Hustle from trainer Stephen Lockhart.
He expects the filly to return to Tasmania later in the year for the summer carnival, however he’s already mapped out a Melbourne program with a 1600m race at Moonee Valley on August 3 her next assignment.
“Gary White recommended us,” Harrison said.
“My Biddy came over earlier in the year who had four runs for us, raced pretty well, and was unlucky a couple of times.
“They were looking for someone for this horse and Gary suggested us.
“On what she’s done I think she’ll be quite competitive but you don’t know until you get out there and get amongst them.”
The race is restricted to apprentice riders and Shady Hustle will be ridden by Harry Grace.
Stablemate Search Squad also heads to Flemington to run in a benchmark 78 race over 1200m with Craig Williams aboard.
“He’s gone alright up the straight before and Craig picked out this race for him.”
