No hassle for Hussler

Trainer Ross McDonald and jockey Brad Rawiller are not concerned by Weekend Hussler's defeat in the Group 2 Liston Stakes on Saturday, with both believing there are bigger stages to knock off unbeaten rival Light Fantastic.

Weekend Hussler went down narrowly to Light Fantastic in the Liston after starting odds-on in just his third defeat from 12 starts. But there was little concern about the result from Rawiller, who said his horse was well on course for October's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

"We've got a long way to go. Today's only a Group 2 race. We'll peg him back in the Group 1s," said Rawiller, who has won six Group Ones on the horse.

"I had in the clear before the corner and I was hoping he'd be able to carry me into it like he did in the Oakleigh Plate. But Froggy (Craig Newitt on Light Fantastic) was able to get me out of the road. Coming to the 200m, we were coming again and starting to build our momentum up and then he just peaked on his run in the last bit."

McDonald said that the horse had missed some trackwork during the week due to a hoof abscess, but his lack of sharpness was more to do with his training methods than any lack of fitness.

"He missed a bit of work. I've done more even time work than sprinting him. We've got a long way to go and I'm quite happy the way he's run. He's pulled up good and looks super. He's had that bit of a setback, but we're not blaming that. He was doing his best work at the finish."

Weekend Hussler remains favourite for both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate, but Light Fantastic is expecting to firm significantly for the Cox Plater after such a strong win first-up.