Brooklyn out to hustle G1

BROOKLYN Hustle will again attempt to clinch a maiden Group 1 in today’s Newmarket Handicap after another eyecatching run in last month’s Oakleigh Plate.

It will be her sixth try at the top level and, at $20, represents each-way value in the 1200m sprint down the Flemington straight.

The Rosemont Stud-owned mare grabbed fourth in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and trainer Dean Krongold believes the four-year-old will appreciate the extra 100m.

She was held up on the Caulfield bend and only found a clear run in the final 150m, flashing home to finish a neck behind dead-heaters Celebrity Queen and Portland Sky.

Krongold said the blonde bombshell would present in “outstanding” order in the $1.25m race.

“She’s as good as we’ve had her,” he said. “She’s improved since the Oakleigh Plate, if anything, and she had a gallop at Sandown on Tuesday and was excellent.”

The four-year-old has finished no worse than fifth in a Group 1, including three fourths, but she will need to topple Coolmore Stud winner September Run, who will jump as the short-priced favourite.

Brooklyn Hustle has had two starts at Flemington without placing but Krongold hoped the step up to 1200m on the wide expanses at headquarters would be in her favour.

“She has run some good races there before,” he said.

“She struck a wet track one time in the Coolmore when she ran into some pretty handy horses that day and she wasn’t beaten all that far.

“I think there was another time where she was a bit unlucky and finished off strong. She has had experience there but she’s a much better horse this time in.

“She’ll be hitting the line strongly. You’d have to be a good horse to match her motor when it comes down to it.”