AT least one big bookie has a million reasons to believe star of the turf Weekend Hussler can be beaten in today's Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
Sportsbet's Matthew Tripp is prepared to stand Weekend Hussler to lose $1 million in the $201,000 Group 2 race.
Tripp is already holding two bets of $50,000 at $1.80 but believes he will have to ease one of the world's top horses to $2 to attract further money.
Why would you take a $1million gamble on weekend Hussler, who has won nine of 12 starts and more than $2.42million in stakemoney and produced a very good first-up second two weeks ago?
"He did have a little setback before his second in the Liston but this is a top field," Tripp said yesterday.
"Maldivian will run a great race from the inside barrier with the rail out and I have a real opinion of Scenic Blast who is tightening in the betting as we talk.
" A great race, but I've declared my hand and hope I'm right."
Surprisingly, Tripp has an ally in Sean Bartholomew, arguably Sydney's biggest and most successful punter.
Speaking on radio yesterday morning, Bartholomew said he had backed talented Perth galloper Scenic Blast at $6, $5.50 and was preparing for another onslaught.
"I'll be taking the $5 and maybe less as soon when I finish this interview," a confident Barthlomew said.
"I think Weekend Hussler is there but no value at those odds. A roughie with a chance is the NZ galloper, C'est La Guerre."
The regally bred C'est La Guerre, was a 40/1 outsider in yesterday's markets but his biggest hurdle is securing a start having been surprisingly relegated to first emergency.
Unfortunately for many promising gallopers, the decision to move the rail out 11m for the entire circuit has ended their chances of a start.
But if you are one of the tens of thousands of Weekend Hussler fans, don't despair. His straight-shooting trainer, Ross McDonald, is exuding confidence.
McDonald, who has seen Grange turn to vinegar and back to Grange during his rollercoaster career, told punters during Weekend Hussler's superb Autumn campaign to put their house on the Hussler before the Oakleigh Plate because they would soon own two. The Hussler won and Melbourne's real estate agents were inundated.
McDonald said yesterday he was looking forward to the race.
"The horse is well, very well and I know he's looking forward to tomorrow."
Another to create huge interest in the Memsie is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Tuesday Joy.
The effervescent Waterhouse has not held back in telling the racing world that Tuesday Joy is her Melbourne Cup horse and the Cup is the mare's goal.
Tuesday Joy has settled in well to Melbourne and has a surprisingly good first-up record of two seconds from four starts. Her performance today could result in a revamped Melbourne Cup market.
Meanwhile, trainer Lee Freedman has cautioned punters about expecting too much from Miss Andretti in the $100,000 Clamms Seafoods Stakes (1100m).
Miss Andretti, $1.90 in early markets, will have her first start since an unplaced run in Adelaide and a disappointing run in Hong Kong.
"Physically, she's very good; her blood count is good her work is solid but she is a seven-year-old mare coming back from a long break," he said.
"I'm not trying to talk her down but this an element of doubt."
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