Ambitious plans revealed for Northview Hustler - Al looking for a A$1 million Miracle
By Barry Lichter • 8 February 2020
Northview Hustler only has to come through his race at Albion Park tonight in good shape to be given his chance at Australia’s best in New South Wales in the next few weeks.
Queensland trainer Al Barnes has mapped out a programme that will see The Hustler go south to the Sydney stable of top horseman Luke McCarthy who will try to qualify him for the A$1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 7.
He will have two chances to force his way into the eight-horse field in the A$100,000 Newcastle Mile on February 21 and the A$100,000 Schweppes Sprint (1609m) at Menangle on February 29.
Barnes got the green light for the ambitious campaign from Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street yesterday, a lack of good races for the Hustler in Brisbane a deciding factor.
Al Barnes .. Hustler deserves his chance at the best.Barnes is convinced that the Hustler has the speed to be competitive against the best, and is capable of running a 25 second quarter on the big Menangle track.
The horse faces an uphill battle at Albion Park tonight, however, drawn on the outside of the front line over 1660 metres in only his second run back from an injury-enforced spell.
But Barnes reports Hustler has really sharpened up this week and taken no harm from his blistering fresh-up effort last week.
In his first race for four months, the Hustler ran a brave sixth, just six metres behind Watch Pulp Fiction, unable to capitalise on a perfect one-out-one-back trip because the race was so hectic.
The Hustler ran the 1660 metres in 1:55.02, only four tenths of a second slower than the winner whose mile rate was a sizzling 1:51.1.
Hustler was clocked over his last 800 metres in 54.3 and 400 in 27.22, a terrific effort after being away from the track with a minor tendon injury.
Barnes says Hustler will need plenty of luck tonight and his driver son Hayden will need the gaps to appear at the right time for him to be a winning chance.
A likely hot tempo again will also make it hard for the favourite Colt Thirty One to get into the action from the outside of the second line.
Thats How Weroll nabs Double Or Nothing on the line.Barnes will back up Double Or Nothing in the second race tonight as well after his sterling four days ago when he was collared very late after pacemaking.
Double Or Nothing powered to the front in a 27 first quarter and never flinched in the run home a neck behind the winner Thats How Weroll who clocked a 1:53.4 mile rate.
Hayden Barnes is likely to try for the top again tonight from gate five, in the knowledge the horse tries hardest when allowed to roll along in front.
But Al Barnes says he won’t find it easy in what is stronger company this time - on 65 he is the lowest rated runner in the field bar one.
Double Or Nothing races at 8.45pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.
Northview Hustler races at 10.50pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
