No need for Byron Gall to convince Darren Weir to run Lucky Hussler at Magic Millions this time around

PART-OWNER Byron Gall had to convince trainer ­Darren Weir to run Lucky Hussler in last year’s Magic Millions Cup but there was no question when it came to the gelding defending his crown today.

Byron Gall with the Magic Millions Cup trophy won by Lucky Hussler last year. Photo: Luke Marsden

PART-OWNER Byron Gall had to convince trainer ­Darren Weir to run Lucky Hussler in last year’s Magic Millions Cup but there was no question when it came to the gelding defending his crown today.

Lucky Hussler, a two-time Group 1 winner, is the equal $3.80 favourite with Most Important to win today’s event.

Elanora-based Gall, who owns the horse with seven family members, said it was the greatest win he had been part of in racing but it nearly didn’t happen.

Gall said top Victorian trainer Weir didn’t want to run Lucky Hussler in the $1 million Cup after the horse’s disappointing sixth in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in November 2016.

However the owner convinced him otherwise.

“He ran really bad in his final start down in Melbourne in the Emirates and Darren said after the race he wouldn’t be able to win the Magic Millions Cup on that run,” Gall said.

“I said to him after I watched the replay a few times that at the 1400m mark in the race he had actually hit the front and it was in the last 200m that he threw the anchor out.

“Seeing as the Magic Millions Cup is only 1400m and the field wouldn’t be anywhere near as strong as that Emirates I said, ‘I think we should really be having a good look at it’.

“He watched the replay a couple of times and then agreed it’s what we should be doing.”

Weir was originally looking to target the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley that Lucky Hussler had won a year earlier.

But Gall said it was the highlight of his time in racing to see Lucky Hussler win in front of his family and friends on the Gold Coast after spending most of his career in Victoria.

It was also redemption for Lucky Hussler who had finished 11th in the 3YO Guineas in 2013 and 11th again in the Magic Millions Cup in 2014.

“He raced in the Magic Millions twice before and ran pretty terrible in both,” Gall said.

“We knew he had a lot more potential than what he showed and racing on the Gold Coast for us is a huge thrill.

“To bring him up in front of all our family and friends and win was great.

“It was third time lucky on Magic Millions day last year and hopefully go fourth time lucky this year.

“The adrenaline rush you get from watching your horse win a million-dollar race – you can’t really explain the feeling.”