From the second row it looks like mission impossible for Hustler on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 28 June 2019
Trainer Al Barnes knows Northview Hustler will need a lot of luck to feature in Saturday night’s feature race at Albion Park.
Drawn two on the second row over only 1660 metres the Wondai’s Mate looks a near impossible task with the favourite Colt Thirty One and stablemate Ohoka Punter beautifully spotted on the front.
Barnes is just hoping that the Hustler can get a crack at them and run into the placings to keep his form line looking half decent so he gets into the upcoming winter carnival features.
“If they go 1:51 or 1:52 and run 27 quarters it makes it impossible for us to get into the race. And then all of a sudden we might have a form line of 047 next to our name, instead of 111 and, from being one of the favourites for the Blacks A Fake, we’ll be lucky to get a run.’’
The dilemma for Barnes is he can’t keep Hustler sitting on the sideline protecting his formline. He has to run the horse to improve his fitness if he’s to be any chance in the big ones.
“The good thing is he’s still improving,’’ says Barnes.
“His run in the Redcliffe Cup was very good but we have to try to avoid what happened to us there.
“We have to hope nothing slow pulls out in front of us.’’
At Redcliffe Hayden Barnes pulled Hustler into the three wide train behind Saloon Passage a lap from home but when that horse went nowhere he had no choice but to unleash a fast run four wide at the 400.
“He’d have been better off moving up three wide by himself - that horse just got in his way for 400 metres.’’
Northview Hustler can’t reproduce this front-running form when he’s snowed away on the back line.Barnes can see a horrible scenario develop where Mach Alert, a gate flier drawn to lead in two, races to the front and the Grant Dixon pair Colt Thirty One and Ohoka Punter camp right on the speed.
“Grant likes to back right off when he gets the chair and I can see they’ll get a soft lead and first quarter, unless something like Saloon Passage cuts his throat and attacks them.
“If the first half’s not quick, in say 57, it will make it impossible for us to get into it. They’ll come home in 27 and 27.’’
Northview Hustler has two more weeks to stake his claim for the A$250,000 Blacks A Fake on July 20.
On Saturday week it’s the Listed A$25,000 Lucky Creed (2680m) and the following week, July 13, the Group II A$100,000 Sunshine Sprint (1660m).
“We just have to pray for a barrier draw, because with our racing that’s so important. If you’re not handy or one, two, three the fence you’re no hope. If the leaders back off even one quarter then run 27 quarters home, it’s very hard to come four and five wide.’’
Stablemate Vasari is stuck in the same draw as Northview Hustler, two the second row, in the second race but Barnes is surprisingly happy with that.
“I want to drive him with a sit. He doesn’t have to be killed, he can come with one run at them and earn a cheque.
“I’ll just be patient and he’ll be competitive.’’
Barnes also drove Vasari conservatively last start when fourth at Redcliffe, where he came from three back on the markers, sprinting well when finally clear.
Vasari races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
Northview Hustler races at 9.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
