by Mike Curry

Weekend Hussler launched his winning bid with a sweeping move into the stretch, surged to the lead with about 150 meters remaining, and edged clear to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $371,167 Ultra Tune Oakleigh Plate (Aus-G1).

Trained by Ross McDonald for a partnership, the Southern Hemisphere three-year-old gelding rebounded from an unplaced finish in the Emirates Stakes (Aus-G1) on November 10 at Flemington and earned his third Group 1 victory.

Scuffs set the pace in the 1,100-meter (5.47-furlong) turf race for three-year-olds and older. Weekend Hussler was rated near the middle of the 14-horse field and powered into contention when angled wide by jockey Brad Rawiller on the turn.

Weekend Hussler closed with a rush from the center of the stretch and pulled away in the final 100 meters to win comfortably in 1:03.22 on turf rated as dead.

Group 1 winner Magnus edged Tramuntana by a neck for second.

Weekend Hussler won the Age Caulfield Guineas (Aus-G1) on October 13 at Caulfield and the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Aus-G1) on November 3 at Flemington.

Bred in Australia, Weekend Hussler is out of the Helissio mare Weekend Beauty.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor