Adam Richardson brings Northview Hustler back after his last win at Albion Park last September. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al prescribes quiet trial for Hustler today: It will be a month before he’s ready to rumble
By Barry Lichter • 2 June 2020
Northview Hustler will take the next step on the comeback trail with a quiet trial at Albion Park this evening.
Lincoln Farms Queensland flag bearer will take on five mediocre rivals at 6.28pm NZ time in what trainer Al Barnes says is likely to be the first of three trials.
“He’s sound and doing well - I can’t fault him - but he has a fair bit of work to do to bring him up to race fitness.
“It’s a weak field today, and he has only five rivals, so he should be able to have nice cruisy trial, and run 1:55 or 1:56 comfortably.”
Barnes is determined not to rush the Hustler back to the races after his latest setback when persistent swelling in his off front fetlock saw Barnes send him for an MRI scan at the University Of Queensland’s Gatton Equine Specialist Hospital.
Relieved that it turned out to be little more than the equivalent of a sprained wrist, Barnes put the horse back into training with a view to tackling the COVID-19 pared back winter features.
“I’m not going to push him - when he’s ready he’s ready - and he could be a month away from racing.
“You don’t want to be going into these races half right as he’ll be up against Colt Thirty One, Hectorjayjay and other good horses like Glenferrie Hood and running 1:52, 1:53 and I don’t want to break his heart.”
The first of the three Albion Park features is just under six weeks away, the A$20,830 Wondai’s Mate (1660m) on July 11, followed by the A$25,630 Mr Feelgood (2138m) on July 18 and the A$25,630 Lucky Creed (2680m) on July 25.
Northview Hustler performed creditably, without much luck, at the winter carnival last year before being sidelined by a minor tendon tear.
More news in Harness
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Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Another Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
