$400-a-head tickets, champagne and caviar, it’s the works for Hustler mob on cup day

“It’s the most exciting thing ever.’’

That reaction today from Carl Officer of news that Lincoln Farms’ Northview Hustler now looks assured of gaining a start in the $800,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup.

Officer’s first thoughts on hearing of the injury to cup favourite Chicago Bull was for the horse and his connections.

“It’s quite sad, especially with the way he won last week. He was unbelievable.’’

Officer, one of the eight-strong Four Legs syndicate which has a 10 percent share in Northview Hustler, says his group is wary about getting too fizzed up over a cup start, having already once had their balloon pricked. The latest rankings out today have Hustler 15th on the list for the 15-horse field, with only one more lead-up race on Friday night.

Northview Hustler’s big team of owners in the winners’ circle after his Spring Cup win. PHOTO: Race Images.“We’re trying not to count our chickens just yet. A lot of the boys, who don’t know a lot about racing, were pretty upset when they found out Hustler’s Spring Cup win didn’t get him into the field like they originally thought.

“But we’re all looking forward to it. We’re all mates and it’s a good chance for a boys’ trip away.’’

The eight likely lads, all from Hamilton, have been preparing for the cup week trip for the last 12 months, a portion of their $20 a week put away to cover the expenses.

Flights and accommodation have all been booked and paid for, and they’ve even splurged some of their Hustler winnings on $400-a-head tickets to an infield marquee where they’ll be treated to champagne and caviar all day.

Another $1500 has been set aside for incidentals on the three-day expedition, like taxi fares and running expenses.

Then of course there’s the $500 which will go on a bar tab at their Riccarton Rd digs on the Sunday of their arrival.

“That’s just to break us in on the first day. If you think Hustler’s a stayer you should see these boys - there’s a lot of stayers among us.

“We all like to celebrate, talk a lot, and enjoy it. We’re not thinking we can win the cup, we just want to get into the field.

“It means a lot to John too, he’s never had a cup runner.’’

Shannon Flay, left, and Merle Gradwell with Northview Hustler after his Spring Cup win at Auckland.John Street, whose innovative Lincoln Farms’ partnerships have enabled people like the Four Legs syndicate to be part of racing horses with limited exposure, hasn’t had a cup runner in more than 40 years of owning horses.

Ironically it was Officer’s dad Danny Boyle who was part of Street’s joyride with multiple Derby winner Badlands Bute, having bred the horse.

“It will be an emotional day for all of us.’’

Joining Street and the Four Legs syndicate will be Hustler’s other 10 percent partners, Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton, Ian Gradwell, whose wife Merle helps run the Auckland office, Shannon Flay and Chris Western.

With just 13 days ’til the cup, and only one more lead-up race at Addington on Friday night, Officer is hoping nothing can upset the apple cart, like a bolt-from-the-blue win by Locharburn or James Dean which might elevate them ahead of Hustler.

That would be too cruel.