Trainer Grahame Begg and the connections involved with She’s A Hustler are once again anticipating the mare stepping up to a staying distance.
She’s A Hustler is scheduled to compete over 2400 metres for the second time in her career when she contests the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
The mare’s only previous experience at the 2400m distance was a winning effort in the Zipping Classic on a soft Caulfield track last November, where she defeated Light Infantry Man under weight-for-age conditions.
That particular victory over Light Infantry Man also happened to be the last time She’s A Hustler found the winner’s circle.
Begg has expressed his satisfaction with She’s A Hustler’s performances since, though he noted that wet tracks and high-pressure races have made things difficult for the mare on numerous occasions.
The 2400m of the Caulfield Cup can be a gruelling affair, but it is run under handicap conditions, unlike the weight-for-age or set-weights and penalties races She’s A Hustler has recently contested.
After a strong finishing run for fifth behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 12, She’s A Hustler faded to seventh place behind Cosmic Crusader in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 3.
“It was too wet last time, and she can’t cope with the high-pressure races,” Begg stated.
“She needs a dry track and to be able to come up for air at some time in the run. She needs to be able to come back and then travel through her gears.
“Who would have thought Light Infantry Man would go out the way he did, and it was the same when she was chasing Pride Of Jenni in Brisbane, she didn’t get that chance to come up for air and she’s not as effective.
“Her previous run was excellent and all her runs on good tracks have been good.
“Low-range soft is OK, but we should get nice ground for her and we’re looking forward to seeing her on Saturday.”
She’s A Hustler drew barrier six in the draw conducted on Tuesday and will start from gate five if any of the emergencies do not gain a start.
Michael Dee is the jockey booked for Saturday’s race.
“She will be ridden quiet,” Begg confirmed.
“Hopefully she will be midfield, doing no work, not being bustled to hold a position and just let her travel.”
Consider the Australian betting sites for the upcoming Caulfield Cup.
