She’s A Hustler took her first attempt at 2400 metres in stride at Caulfield on Saturday, delivering a powerful staying performance that stamped her as a major player for next year’s spring features.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare showcased her trademark determination to claim her maiden Group 2 in the $750,000 weight-for-age Zipping Classic, mowing down dual Group 1 star Light Infantry Man in the closing strides.
Already renowned for her remarkable consistency, She’s A Hustler extended her flawless quinella record and confirmed herself as a genuine Caulfield Cup contender for 2025.
Begg hinted that plans were already being shaped around Brisbane’s winter riches, a proven spring launchpad for recent Caulfield Cup winners Half Yours and Incentivise.
“You have to have those ambitions,” Begg said when asked if he considered her a Caulfield Cup prospect.
“She’s a beauty, a winning machine, she’s never finished further back than second in 11 starts (with) seven wins.
We may go to Brisbane for one or two runs up there, something like the Q22 and then back down here. The Q22 is a great race and it sets them up for the spring.”
This latest victory followed a runner-up finish in the Matriarch Stakes (2000m) and her Group 3 triumph in the Tesio Stakes (2040m) on Cox Plate Day.
Her Zipping Classic win required resilience as she copped interference on the turn when Light Infantry Man slipped away, but She’s A Hustler surged late under Jordan Childs to prevail by a short neck.
Childs, who has partnered the mare in all 10 of her Australian starts, was convinced the best is still ahead.
“The way she’s going about it, she’s still got improvement there,” Childs said of the daughter of Ace High.
“She doesn’t know how to fully put races away, but I think she’ll keep improving.
To tick that off over 2400 metres today, it will hold her in good stead for next prep.”
The victory completed a Stakes double for Begg and Childs after earlier winning the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) with Ruska Roma.
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