Lucky pick-up ride gives Bulent Muhcu Tasmanian Oaks

Friendless in the betting ($18 to $41) Shady Hustle has helped revive the career of 54-year-old Brighton trainer Stephen Lockhart and was a lucky pick-up ride for Turkish jockey Bulent Muhcu.

A $30,000 buy at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale, Shady Hustle was to have been ridden by Ryan Bishop but he was taken to hospital after hurting his neck in a fall earlier in the day.

However Muhcu was no stranger to the filly as he rides her in all her trackwork.

"I ride her every day so, while I feel sorry for Ryan who has been riding her well in her races, I was very confident when I picked up the ride," Muhcu said.

"It's a big thrill to win this race after finishing second on Hot Dipped two years ago."

Lockhart, who has only four horses in work, has been involved in racing almost all his life.

The Scottish-born trainer started out as a jockey in NSW and was apprenticed to well-known trainers Bede Murray and Kevin Robinson before retiring after only seven years due to rising weight.

He then spent 19 years working as a travelling foreman for Lindsay Park in South Australia before moving to Tasmania eight years ago to train.

Lockhart said that he had been quietly confident about Shady Hustle's chances despite her odds.

"She had her first try over 2100m in the Strutt Stakes and needed the run (when fourth to Rock Dove) to top her off," the trainer said.

"And, she didn't do as much work today - it was a beautiful ride."

After being trapped wide early, Muhcu went forward to race outside the leader before getting a sit when Our Long Sali made a sharp move.

For a while Anthony Darmanin's tactics on Our Long Sali looked like they might pay off but Shady Hustle overpowered her to score by 1-¼ lengths.

Rock Dove was only a half head away third but had every chance.

Glass Warrior made ground to finish a half length further back in fourth place but never really looked like winning.

Sydney favourite Etymology and Victorian stayer Second Bullet are stranded in Melbourne waiting for transport to Tasmania for Wednesday's $250,000 Launceston Cup.

They were to have arrived on Friday morning but their flight was cancelled.

Godolphin's travelling foreman Necim Dilmi said trainer James Cummings was hoping to get Etymology on a plane either Monday or Tuesday night.

It is understood that Godolphin does not want to send the horse by boat.