Champion jockey Gary Willets has implored the connections of Weekend Hussler to make the Cox Plate the focus for the superstar galloper.
The reigning Horse of the Year, which sprinted clear to win the Group Two Makybe Diva stakes on Saturday, heads the markets for the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup. His white-hot form has seen the four-year-old firm into second favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
While the triple treat looms as mission possible for Weekend Hussler, Willets, who won the 1974 Cox Plate onboard Battle Heights, would love to see the 2040m showpiece the priority.
"I don't know if (trainer) Ross McDonald would go for the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate," Willets told Sportal on Monday.
"I'd be inclined to go for the Cox Plate."
"It's the pinnacle of racing and generally it's the best horse every year that wins it."
"It doesn't matter what the form is, the best horse wins the Cox Plate."
McDonald rated Saturday's win over a star field, including previously unbeaten Light Fantastic, as his best to date.
It has reinforced his view that winning the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, all in 17 days, is possible, despite the horse not yet racing beyond 1600m.
The Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) will change that, and Willets can't wait to see the Hussler back in action.
He, like all racing fans, is excited by the prospect of a new hero of the turf.
"It's incredible, everyone talks about him and racing needs those champions," Willets said.
"It's pretty exciting times when there's a race like there was on Saturday and all those good horses are in it."
"You had Efficient, Kibbutz, they were all around about it so it makes for a good spring."