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.
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
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 98th stakes-winner for the royally-bred son of Mr Prospector who died in March 2016
