Already a dual Group I winner earlier in his career of the MRC Toorak Handicap (1600m) and MVRC William Reid Stakes (1200m), Lucky Hussler returned to the glory days to take out the Group II MVRC Schweppes Crystal Mile.
The Darren Weir trained eight year old gelding made it look all too easy when bolting clear to win by three lengths for Blake Shinn, who rode four winners on the card.
"Riding four winners on any major day in racing is special," Shinn said.
"I thought I had a reasonable book of rides but it's very hard at this time of year.
"You've got the elite horses, the elite jockeys but it's one of those days where everything has fallen into place."
Lucky Hussler (pictured Grant Courtney) had failed to flatter in his first three runs back from a spell, but found form in spectacular fashion.
"He ran well first-up, terrible second-up, well third-up and even better
fourth-up," Weir said."He loves Moonee Valley, the speed on and I thought he looked great in the yard."
A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Monarch Stud draft, Lucky Hussler has the overall record of 10 wins and nine placings from 46 starts with prizemoney of $2.1 million.
He is the one and only foal from his dam Talaq Dancer, a half-sister by Black Hawk (GB) to Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler, who is by Husson's sire Hussonet (USA).
Lucky Hussler is the best of 11 stakes-winners by Husson, who stands at Aquis Farm Queensland at a fee of $13,200.
