Weekend off for Hussler

Weekend Hussler will have his final lead-up to the Caulfield Cup in the Turnbull Stakes rather than the Yalumba Stakes, trainer Ross McDonald said on Saturday.

McDonald had originally planned the Yalumba Stakes to be Weekend Hussler's next start but changed his mind after realising the winner of the Turnbull could not receive a weight penalty for the Caulfield Cup.

Under the set weights and penalty conditions of the Turnbull, Weekend Hussler will carry 57.5kg, half a kilo under weight-for-age.

The new program means Weekend Hussler will not have to race three times in as many weeks should McDonald choose also to tackle the Cox Plate with his wonder horse.

"That gives us two weeks in between (the Turnbull and the Caulfield Cup). Otherwise we'd be backing up three weeks in a row," McDonald said.

Weekend Hussler's victory in the Underwood was not only his seventh Group One victory in his illustrious career but confirmed to McDonald that the horse would be just as effective beyond the mile.

McDonald had no doubt Weekend Hussler will run a strong 2000m, whether the race was run at a fast or slow pace.

"I don't think it worries him. He can adapt. He's got a real high cruising speed and he can kick off it," he said.

"(If) they really crawl, he can lead."

McDonald said Pompeii Ruler had his chance to beat Weekend Hussler but his horse proved stronger on the line.

Trainer Mick Price said Pompeii Ruler, who will follow an identical spring path to Weekend Hussler, would have more chance of beating McDonald's superstar as the distances stretched out.

Price was pleased with Pompeii Ruler's second after lowering his colours seven days prior at Moonee Valley.

"His sectionals from the 600 to the 400 were very good and the last furlong (he) tired as you would expect," Price said.

"We'll improve into the Turnbull and improve into the Caulfield Cup and probably the Melbourne Cup."

The Cox Plate was also on the agenda for Pompeii Ruler, who ran third in the race in 2006 to Fields Of Omagh.

The news was not so bright with one time glamour horse Light Fantastic, who turned in his second consecutive flop in running in the 11th in the Underwood.

Price was puzzled why Light Fantastic ran so poorly as a post-race veterinarian examination revealed no signs of any abnormalities.

Price said he would order another vet inspection for Light Fantastic on Sunday.