The connections of She’s A Hustler, along with trainer Grahame Begg, are looking forward to seeing the mare compete over a longer distance once more.
She’s A Hustler is set to contest the Group 1 Caulfield Cup this Saturday, marking her second appearance at the 2400-metre trip.
The mare’s sole previous run at 2400m was a victory in the Zipping Classic at Caulfield last November on a soft track, where she overcame Light Infantry Man under weight-for-age conditions.
Coincidentally, that win against Light Infantry Man was the last time She’s A Hustler crossed the finish line first.
Begg has been pleased with She’s A Hustler’s form since then, though he acknowledges that wet tracks and high-pressure races have posed challenges for the mare on several occasions.
While the 2400 metres of the Caulfield Cup can be a demanding race, it is run under handicap conditions, differing from the weight-for-age or set-weights and penalties races She’s A Hustler has been contesting.
After a strong finish for fifth behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 12, She’s A Hustler finished seventh, fading in the stretch, 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 said.
“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 during Tuesday’s barrier draw and will start from gate five if no emergencies are declared.
Michael Dee is scheduled to ride the mare 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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