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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Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Leo Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Missy Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Johnny Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
