In an outstanding display of equine athleticism Weekend Hussler made it six Group I wins, to-date, for the season after dominating an exciting $400,000, Group I, WFA Cathay Pacific George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at the Sydney Turf Club’s Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill on Saturday.

The sky overhead was steely gray as it threatened to rain at Rosehill at 2.35pm as the field paraded in the mounting yard, but not one seat was left unattended, and one spot outside the stands not taken, with patrons craning to see the field of eight.

At number one was Racing To Win, his grey colouring matching the sky and the winner of this race in 2006, and at number eight was Weekend Hussler, up from Melbourne once again.  The grey is a dashing horse to look at, but Weekend Hussler is a plain bay, not exactly looking like an equine immortal in stature, but of that he knows nothing.

Brad Rawiller talked tactics with trainer Ross Macdonald, who strapped the Golden Slipper winner Courtza at the same track, and then calmly mounted and quietly guided Weekend Hussler to the barriers at the start of the back straight.

Everyone waited while Casino Prince had a plate replaced and the crowd was hushed anticipating the spectacle to come, and then it was game on.

Racing To Win came out well for Hugh Bowman and then Weekend Hussler came up followed by Stormhill and Danny Nikolic who came up on the inside of Weekend Hussler. Nash Rawiller pushed the veteran Desert War forward and eventually those two went along in front at a good clip.

Brad Rawiller bided his time on Weekend Hussler, with Bowman watching him on Racing To Win and Mentality and Darren Beadman tracking them in turn.

Rawiller let Weekend Hussler cruise forward passing the 500m as they approached the final turn and they were three wide as they straightened. Racing To Win followed.

With 400m to run Weekend Hussler was leading and Rawiller was almost trying to slow his mount such was his momentum. But then he let the three-year-old go and the race was over. Racing To Win tried very hard, but every time it seemed that he might gain on Weekend Hussler the gap opened again.

The 200m went by and then the 100m, and it was a fine sight to see as to huge applause Weekend Hussler galloped to history matching Kingston Town’s six Group I’s in a season.

The winning margin was 1 1/2L to a valiant Racing To Win (Encosta de Lago), with Casino Prince (Flying Spur) third, the margin 2 1/4L. The time was 1.31.72 and the final 600m in 36.19. Weekend Hussler paid $2.60 on NSW TAB.

The crowd stood and cheered for Weekend Hussler, as he and Rawiller paraded in front of them returing to the mounting yard, and they knew that they had seen something special.

Macdonald was outwardly calm after the race, but he cautiously suggested that greatness might be forthcoming for Weekend Hussler.

“One day he might be,” he replied to a suggestion that the horse might be the best horse in the world, with Weekend Hussler currently rated as the best three-year-old in the world.

“I am pretty happy with that, but I am a bit dry in the mouth,” he said revealing the tension.

“They are two different horses, she was a great horse of her time, but this horse is just something different,” he said comparing his time with Courtza at Rosehill in 1989.

“I don’t think you could find the mould for him, but I would love to have it. To come out and do that, first time at weight-for-age, first time here. He could have led but when they took off around them he took a sit and once I saw him at the 600m I thought he would not be beaten from there.

“He goes on anything,” he commented referring to the heavy (9) track.

“He is the best that I have had. He has got great cruising speed and a great motor,” he said.

Macdonald, a trainer of considerable experience, said that he felt that Weekend Hussler was up to the company of Kingston Town, that great galloper trained by Tommy Smith.

He said that the cups will be on the agenda for spring, and that he will be taking Weekend Hussler back to Melbourne rather than moving forward to the Group I Doncaster Handicap at Randwick next Saturday.

“He has done a terrific job and no three-year-old has carried that weight, more than 54kg and won, so I think we might take him home,” he said.

John O’Shea, trainer of Racing To Win was more than satisfied with the second of his multiple Group I winner.

“There is no disgrace in coming second. It is a three-year-olds race and he was beaten by a great three-year-old,” he said.

“He went fantastic our bloke and I am not disappointed in him, have a look at where the rest of them finished. It was a great ride by Hughie,” he said.

“I was happy to just cruise behind them and then at the 600m when I went to go out I was very happy,” said Rawiller.

He was right to be happy and the rest is history, perhaps for this season,  but with the feeling that much more history is to be written next season.

Weekend Hussler is by Hussonet out of the Helisso mare Weekend Beauty. This was his ninth win from 11 starts, his fourth Group I in succession after the Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Handicap, and Randwick Guineas.

Owned by Ms J Kewish, J Bath, Stoneworkz Racing Syn, Mrs S Rush, Mrs W Stewart, Mrs G O'Donoghue, Mrs L O'Connell, Mrs P Troedel, Ms J Stosius and Mrs M Moloney Weekend Hussler has earned stakes of $2,380,000.