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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
