Aussie bookies running scared of Lincoln Farms’ pair for Brisbane winter features
By Barry Lichter • 1 May 2019
Northview Hustler hasn’t even arrived in Brisbane yet and he has the Aussie bookies running scared.
Lincoln Farms’ flagship pacer has opened third favourite at just $5 in the bookies’ early futures market for the winter Queensland feature, the $A200,000 The Blacks A Fake Championship (2680m) on July 20.
The bookies are likely taking note of the success of stablemate Trojan Banner, who is unbeaten in five starts since arriving in Queensland and has also opened third favourite for the $A100,000 Queensland Derby (2680m) the same night.
Trainer Al Barnes was surprised to see his stable star as short as $4.50 for the late season feature given he has yet to tackle the leading local three-year-olds.
And Hustler’s high rating is also a shock as he has won only one of his seven starts this season.
Bookies have him clearly ahead of 2018 Miracle Mile winner My Field Marshal ($9), who failed in both the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake in Brisbane last year and Tim Butt stablemate Let It Ride ($11), who won the Blacks A Fake in 2018 but hasn’t been at his best since.
Former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Lincoln Road, who has won nine races in Brisbane for Barnes since arriving five months ago, is also on the fourth line of betting at $11.
Lochinvar Art, who is a $3 favourite for the derby, has yet to miss a place in 19 starts, winning 10 of them.
Third in both the Victoria and New South Wales Derbies, he has not raced since winning the Gold Chalice Final (2260m) at Bathurst on March 29.
Second favourite Max Delight has not been seen since March 16 when he won the Tasmanian Derby.
He was a sensational winner of the New South Wales Derby two starts back at Menangle when he beat Malcom’s Rhythm and Lochinvar Art, clocking a mile rate of 1:51.5 for the 2400 metres.
More news in Harness
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Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
