Displaying an exceptional turn of foot down the famous Flemington straight to finish a close second to Hucklebuck in Saturday’s Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m), trainer Darren Weir has revealed he will not enter Lucky Hussler in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 22^nd despite the prospect of maiden success at the highest level of racing.

Trainer Darren Weir has confirmed Lucky Hussler will not contest the 2014 Railway Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Jumping from the gates well in the Emirates Stakes, veteran jockey Glen Boss settled Lucky Hussler within the field over the back straight and rounding the bend before steadily spooling up and exploding from the main group; finding the line just a head off the pace of Phillip Stokes’ stable star.

Understandably thrilled with the Husson gelding’s five race preparation through the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival which has failed to produce a result outside the minor places, Weir told TVN that while very tempting, a trip to Perth for the $1 million 2014 Railway Stakes will not allow for a sufficient stint in the paddock ahead of a campaign through the 2015 Autumn Carnival.

“I thought about taking him to Perth for the Railway, but in the end I figured he has had a really good prep and he can spell now then come back in good order for the autumn,” Weir said.

“There are some really nice races for him in the autumn in Sydney so we won’t go to Perth; he’ll go to the paddock and have a nice break.”

Unable to make much of an impact over three starts through the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival this year, Lucky Hussler ran 11^th in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) first-up and 11^th in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) on May 31^st; returning to the paddock after failing to beat a single runner home in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 7^th.

Returning to the races a different horse when third in the Listed Drummond Gold Stakes (1200m) first-up on September 6^th, Lucky Hussler ran a close second to subsequent two-time Group 1 champion Trust In A Gust in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1400m) on September 20^th; placing second in the Listed Headquarters Tavern Stakes (1400m) and winning the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) by close to four lengths leading into the Emirates Stakes.

With a final field for the 2014 Railway Stakes yet to be confirmed, Stradbroke Handicap winner River Lad and Emirates Stakes third The Cleaner are amongst the notable names currently being tossed around for the November 22^nd feature at Ascot Racecourse.