From Tony Meany Courier mail
HORSE of the Year Weekend Hussler will be a surprise starter in the $500,000 Lightning Stakes at Flemington at the end of next month.
Melbourne trainer Ross McDonald said he would use the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on January 31 as a trial.
"He has thickened out a bit but he is still his grumpy old self," McDonald said.
Weekend Hussler has been back in work for five weeks and will clash with Apache Cat and Golden Slipper winner Sebring.