Lucky Hussler wins 2014 Sportingbet Moonga Stakes Group 3 $150,000 at Caulfield (VIC) 4yo+, 1400m.
Glen Boss eased Lucky Hussler from his wide barrier (13) and he settled in eleventh place, one off the rails. He improved three wide with cover from the 800m, moved up nicely (deep) rounding the home turn before putting in a quick run to hit the lead at the 200m. He then raced clear, going on to score in good style by just over three lengths.
Under The Louvre settled back in ninth spot, one off the rails, before being shuffled back nearing the home turn. He fanned wide on turning for home and ran on nicely for second, without looking likely to trouble the winner.
Generalife went back from his outside barrier (14) and settled second last. He improved wide from the 800m, was pushed very deep rounding the home turn and battled on quite well after a difficult trip to take third.
Manawanuigot across from a wide draw (10) to race in seventh place, between runners. He was crowded at the 600m, got clear at the 100m and then battled on quite well for (5.3 lengths) fourth. Smokin’ Joey was last in the 14-horse field to the turn, went widest of all at the 300m and made late ground for (5.4 lengths) fifth.
The favourite Leebaztravelled well in eighth place on the rails but he was blocked for clear running all the way down the straight and went to the post without being able to be tested finishing (8.6 lengths) eighth.
His run should be overlooked, so too the Japanese runner Admire Inazuma (last) who was similarly blocked in the straight after racing past midfield to the field to the turn.
