Hussonet fillies salute Weekend Hussler
It seems appropriate, on the day Weekend Hussler’s retirement was announced, that two Hussonet fillies born when he was Australian racing’s superstar should boost their sire’s already abundant collection of black type performances.
Pictured: Weekend Hussler (Hussonet-Weekend Beauty by Helissio)
3YO filly Heartsareforlove (ex Happy Heart by Exit To Nowhere) ran a punishing 1600 metres in the $500,000 MRC Thousand Guineas G1, taking the lead early and displaying real courage to hold on for 2nd to Yosei.
Heartsareforlove was bred by Emily Krstina (Aust) Pty Ltd, and is raced by Patinack Farm which paid $130,000 for the filly at the 2009 Melbourne Premier Sale. She is a half-sister to VRC Oaks G1 winner Arapaho Miss, from the the family of leading sires Tom Rolfe, Chieftain and Alzao. Another branch has produced Queensland Oaks G1 winner Vouvray. Heartsareforlove won twice at two and gave a sign of her progression when second to Ilovethiscity in the Newcastle JC Spring S. G3 last month.
Her effort today completed a Guineas runner-up double for Hussonet, whose son Run For Levi, also raced by Patinack Farm, produced a very similar performance in Saturday MRC Caulfield Guineas G1. These two results have added $270,000 to Hussonet’s earnings total for the season.
Four races before the Thousand Guineas Hussonet’s 2YO daughter Red Dress Marley (ex Monte Rose by Fraar) showed plenty of determination to hold second in the $100,000 MRC Debutants S. 1000m LR. The Arrowfield-bred and -sold filly was purchased for $65,000 by Aquanita Racing at the 2010 Magic Millions Premier Sale. Monte Rosa, a sister to G3 winner & G1-placed Nina Haraka, has a yearling filly by Snitzel and foaled a brother to Red Dress Marley last month.
Australia’s 2008 Champion Racehorse Weekend Hussler retires with a record of 12 wins, including seven at Group One level, from 21 starts, a peak Timeform rating of 130 at 3, and prizemoney of almost $3.1 million. Bred by Arrowfield in partnership with Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd, and sold at the 2006 Melbourne Premier Sale to McDonald Racing, he leaves Australian racing with our profound gratitude and admiration.
As for Hussonet, he is rapidly closing on $1 million prizemoney for the season, and his tally of 27 Group One winners looks likely to increase very much sooner than later.
