She's A Hustler chasing Caulfield Cup glory
Trainer Grahame Begg is hoping a return to 2400m and favourable track conditions can bring out the best in New Zealand-bred mare She's A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High) when she contests Saturday's Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
The daughter of Ace High will be stepping out over the distance for just the second time, having claimed the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield last November, where she defeated Light Infantry Man (Fast Company) under weight-for-age conditions.
That victory remains her most recent success, although Begg has been pleased with her performances since, with wet tracks and strongly-run contests proving challenging for the mare.
She's A Hustler closed strongly to finish fifth behind Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 12 before fading to seventh behind Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice) in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 3.
Begg believes the mare is at her best when able to settle into a comfortable rhythm, with the expected firmer conditions at Caulfield on Saturday likely to be in her favour.
"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 (Pride Of Dubai) 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."
While the Caulfield Cup is traditionally a strongly-run staying contest, Begg is hopeful the switch to handicap conditions will allow She's A Hustler to produce her best, having recently competed in weight-for-age and set-weights-and-penalties company.
She's A Hustler drew barrier six at Tuesday's barrier draw and will jump from gate five should the emergencies fail to gain a start.
Michael Dee takes the ride, with Begg keen for the mare to be allowed to settle and conserve her energy in the early stages.
"She will be ridden quiet," Begg said.
"Hopefully she will be midfield, doing no work, not being bustled to hold a position and just let her travel."
Bred by Nearco Stud and Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, She's A Hustler is by Rich Hill Stud's dual Group One-winning stallion Ace High out of the Bernardini mare Snow Petal.
She was purchased by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock for $70,000 from Rich Hill Stud's draft at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Snow Petal is a daughter of Group One winner Zirna and has produced five winners from five foals to race, including stakes-performed Freeze Frame (NZ) (Vadamos), who placed in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m).
She's A Hustler will be bidding to add a maiden Group One victory to a record that already includes success in the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m) and Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (2040m).
