Bargain Buy Captures Tasmanian Oaks

Mark Smith - Sunday February 24

Purchased by trainer and part-owner Stephen Lockhart on Bloodstockauction for $3,300 as an unraced two-year-old, Shady Hustle gave her connections the thrill of a lifetime when winning Sunday's Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) at Launceston.

In a race of many changes, Shady Hustle proved the strongest stayer by defeating Our Long Sali (Needs Further) by one and a quarter lengths with Godolphin's heavily backed favourite Rock Dove (Epaulette) a half-head back in third.

Advertisement

Ryan Bishop was originally engaged to ride the daughter of Hussonet (USA)but he was injured when his mount Misslittleturf fell in the Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic earlier in the day and was replaced by Bulent Muhcu who was no stranger to the filly.

"I've ridden her in work every day," Muchu told punters.com.
"She really improved from her last run where she probably was a little bit lost in the straight. I was very confident when I took the ride today.
"I'm so thrilled to win this race. I ran second in this race with Hot Dipped. I was kind of devastated the next few days."
Lockhart said it was a career highlight.
"He's (Muchu) been confident since her last run in Hobart," Lockhart said.
"First run stepping up from the 1600m to the 2100m without a run in between, she just needed that run to top her off.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, but later on it will."
Shady Hustle was purchased for $30,000 by Bryan & Daniel Guy/Aquis Farm out of the Rosden Park draft at the 2017 Adelaide Magic Millions Sale.

A year later the daughter of Hussonet (USA) appeared on the Bloodstockauction.com website where Lockhart made the final bid of $3,300 (inc gst).

She has proved a wonderful investment as the Tasmanian Oaks win advanced her record to 4 wins and 1 third from 6 starts with earnings of $147,700.

A half-sister to three winners, Shady Hustle is out of the Adelaide winning mare Shady Grove who is a daughter of the Redoute's Choice stallion Legion.

Shady Grove has a 2yo filly by Zebedee (GB), who was purchased at last year's Adelaide Magic Millions by Richard Jolly Racing for $38,000.

She has a yearling filly by Ambidexter and a filly foal by America who is an unraced son of Snitzel out of the champion Alinghi.

From the penultimate crop of Hussonet (pictured) Shady Hustle becomes the 98^th stakes-winner for the royally-bred son of Mr Prospector who died in March 2016

Advertisment

More Reading...

Unbeaten $2.2million Zoustar Filly Poised for Black Type in 2026

The highest priced yearling by champion sire Zoustar sold in 2024 when fetching $2.2million at Inglis Easter, unbeaten filly Plaintiff took another step forward at Randwick on Saturday keeping her record perfect with three wins in as many starts.

It Takes Two to Tango

Most yearling buyers go straight to the sire index of any sale to see what’s on offer, but the sire of the dam of the yearling is in many ways just as important and in the case of this stallion his presence in a pedigree is fast becoming a major factor in stakes success.

New SW Almanzor - Lux Libertas Wins G2 Manawatu Challenge

Cambridge Stud's Almanzor (Fr) is a sire on fire on Saturday with five winners across Australia and New Zealand including a new stakes-winning mare in Lux Libertas that traces back to an iconic Australian female family.

Autumn Carnival Awaits King’s Secret

Arguably in need of the run when a first-up third, Joe Pride’s consistent sprinter King’s Secret (Shalaa) appeared a class above his rivals on Saturday with black type races now on the horizon for the half-brother to $12.8m earner Private Eye.

Widden Fairytale - Unit Five Delivers in $250,000 MM Victoria 2YO

There was a real mixture of tears and happiness for everyone at Widden Stud when the two year-old Supido colt named for the late Stud Manager David Merrick made a winning debut in the $250,000 Magic Millions Victoria 2YO Classic (1100m).

Lara Antipova Wins G2 Challenge – Three-Quarter Brother Inglis Classic

Fortuna Racing look to have another exciting filly on their hands after flashy filly Lara Antipova romped to victory in the Group II Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday bringing an exciting pedigree update for her three-quarter brother headed to 2026 Inglis Classic.

Grafterburners Solidifies Magic Millions Sunlight Favouritism

Going three straight this time in and securing his first black type victory, the Listed BRC Gold Edition Plate (1200m) victory by Kelly Schweida’s 3yo Graff colt Grafterburners further enhanced his chances leading into the $3m TAB Magic Millions Sunlight Classic (1100m).

Almanzor Caulfield Double

Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor (Fr) was credited with a winning double at Caulfield Heath on Saturday when Roadcone held on for an all-the-way victory in the A$130,000 Magic Millions Digital Handicap (1500m) bringing a pedigree update for his half-sister by Ghaiyyath (IRE) that heads to Karaka Book 1 for Curraghmore.

10YO Sagunto Wins Third Manawatu Cup

Matamata visitor Sagunto etched his name into the folklore of the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) when he claimed his third victory in the race with a brilliant front-running performance at Trentham.

G3 Grand Prix Stakes To Snitzel’s Matias – Brother At Magic Millions

Breaking his maiden last time out over 1500m at Newcastle, 3yo Snitzel gelding Matias stepped up both in class and trip to win the $300,000 Group 3 BRC Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm and in the process added a lovely pedigree update to his Magic Millions bound brother.