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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Spirit Of God
5.48pm
“She’s got a bit of lick but I’ll leave it up to the driver (Matthew White) to decide whether to leave the gate. Barry Purdon’s horse Dino looks the one to beat.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.12pm
“Her race last time was a non-event, the silliest race I’ve seen for a long time, with a middle half in 66.6. It shouldn’t be legal. In the US they’d fine you for going that slow. She tries hard but looks up against it here.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.12pm
“She was out for a long time but has had three runs back now and should be close to being ready to rock. The wide draw makes it tough in a big field.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.20pm
“It’s always difficult for any horse off a draw like this, let alone one like him, as we know he doesn’t race as well from off the pace. We just have to hope his big demolition job woke him up a lot. His form eclipses anything else in the race but whether or not he’ll bring his best is anyone’s guess.”
