Hussler does it again

Weekend Hussler has overcome Maldivian in a titanic struggle up the straight to win the G2 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

While Brad Rawiller had Weekend Hussler perfectly placed throughout the run, it took a big charge in the final stages to overhaul the brave Maldivian, which had set the pace and very nearly hung on.

Weekend Hussler eventually prevailed by a long neck from Maldivian, with the returning Pompeii Ruler also running an impressive third, just half a length back, despite being held up and having to travel three deep for much of the race.

While Weekend Hussler's trainer Ross McDonald took aim at bookmakers afterwards for having questioned his horse, and wasn't surprised by the tight finish because of the 1400m distance, Scenic Blast turned in a disappointing effort.

Heavily backed late in the week, the raider from Western Australia was given every chance early by jockey Damien Oliver but couldn't sustain the effort after vying for the lead with Maldivian, fading home to finish 11th.

Meanwhile in Sydney, Hugh Bowman atoned for his ride a week earlier as Duporth shrugged off interference at the top of the straight to win the G2 Tooheys New Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

Having finished third in the Up and Coming Stakes seven days earlier, with Bowman copping plenty of criticism for his handling of his mount, Duporth made a most of some luck in the final stages to beat Stripper by a short head with Desuetude a long neck away in third.

With Maybe I and All American coming together after rounding the turn, spooking Duporth, the race looked set to go to Stripper when it kicked clear but Duporth stormed home to win and Desuetude overcame getting caught up in the interference to also finish strongly.