Trainer Grahame Begg and the connections of She’s A Hustler are eagerly anticipating seeing the mare compete again over a staying distance.
She’s A Hustler is set to race for the second time at 2400 metres when she lines up in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
The mare’s sole prior outing at 2400m was a victory in the Zipping Classic last November on a soft track at Caulfield, where she defeated Light Infantry Man under weight-for-age conditions.
That triumph over Light Infantry Man marked the most recent win for She’s A Hustler.
Begg has expressed satisfaction with She’s A Hustler’s performances since, noting that wet tracks and high-pressure races have presented challenges for the mare on several occasions.
The 2400m journey of the Caulfield Cup can be a demanding race, but it is contested under handicap conditions, unlike the weight-for-age or set-weights and penalties races She’s A Hustler has been competing in.
Following a strong finish for fifth behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 12, She’s A Hustler finished a weakening seventh to 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 Tuesday barrier draw and will commence from gate five should the emergencies not gain a start.
Michael Dee will be in the saddle on Saturday.
“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.”
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