Parisian Hustler stakes claim for Protostar slot

By Darren Clayton

Yes, he is available.

After an effortless victory by Parisian Hustler in the Garrards 2YO Classic on Saturday night, Shane Graham would welcome a slot in The Protostar should an offer be forthcoming.

Programmed at Albion Park on July 11, Graham believes that his gelding is worthy of a spot in Australia’s richest two-year-old race.

“I don't really know how much quicker he can go, because he's never really been tested,” Graham said of the rising star.

Parisian Hustler produced a costly error on debut in late February when runner-up to Scar Struck in the first two-year-old race of the year in Queensland.

Parisian Hustler cruised home to victory second-up one week later.

Graham gave his youngster two months between runs heading into Saturday’s Garrards Classic. It proved no obstacle as Parisian Hustler was untroubled with a 27.3 second closing quarter to post a winning margin of more than five metres. 

Showing ability from his early education with Graham and partner Kelli Dawson, Parisian Hustler has been a work in progress with the trainer confident he will only improve with added maturity.

Parisian Hustler is the only two-year-old to have multiple Queensland wins so far this season. The gelding appears more comfortable the quicker he runs.

“He has been up for a bit but has only had three starts," Graham said. 

“He's very casual and on the lazy side and even when something comes, he gives you the feel like there's still plenty there.”

The immediate target for Parisian Hustler will be the QBRED Breeders Challenge, with heats conducted on May 19, prior to the $50,000 Group 3 Final on May 30.

Dawson and Graham have farewelled stable favourite and carnival regular Turn It Up into retirement. But, the stable is rebuilding and alongside Parisian Hustler, they will have power to unleash during the Queensland Constellations.

Strikem, who is a four-year-old, has been consistent in 2026 but is proving frustrating for connections with one win and seven placings from 11 starts.

After winning the Queensland Derby Consolation last year, Graham is hopeful that Strikem can turn the corner when the bigger races roll around.

“I’d really like to go to the Redcliffe Cup with him,” Graham said.

“He steps good, the distance doesn’t worry him and the track won’t be an issue either.”

While the Redcliffe Cup is a key target, the four-year-old is also in the nominations for the Inter Dominion. Graham is not bothered by the presence of Leap To Fame.

“The way I see it, the race is in our backyard, it's a $1 million race and no one wants to come to race 'Larry', so we will be happy to run second,” Graham quipped.

“I know Pete (Jackson - Strikem’s owner) would be rapt to be in the series, so if it happens, it happens.”

However, the most exciting member of the Graham stable could well be a four-year-old that has only had two career starts.

“On ability, he's by far the best horse in the stable,” Graham said.

That horse is Always B Cool and the four-year-old recently produced one of the fastest wins by a maiden ever recorded in Queensland.

The New Zealand-bred gelding arrived in Graham’s stable earlier this year before making an eye-catching debut when second behind Move It Lou.

Franking that with a victory at his second race start, Always B Cool scored with a 1.53.5 maiden breaking win on April 28.

“The Queensland Sun is the race that we want to get him into," Graham said. 

“He is just so fast, if he could get a run in that, I know it might be a little early, but you're only four once.”

It could be ambitious, but this game is built on ambitions, dreams and some hustle along the way.