Hustler gives them windburn, reminding Hayden why he loves the little champ so much
By Barry Lichter • 2 June 2020
He may not have been running past anything of note but the owners of Northview Hustler would still have been happy to hear the commentator say the horse gave his rivals windburn up the home straight at Albion Park tonight.
Pouncing out of the trail soon after turning for home, the Hustler sprinted straight past stablemate Lincoln Road and went on to win by 4.8 metres.
With driver Hayden Barnes sitting quietly, the little prizefighter reeled off his last 800 metres in 56.6 and 400 in 27.5 to record a 1:56.6 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
It was exactly the sort of run trainer Al Barnes wanted for the Hustler in his first trial back from injury.
Not hurried out of the gate, Barnes sent the horse forward three wide on the first turn to claim the lead, before letting Lincoln Road take over.
“He had a nice hit out and his sectionals were good considering how windy it was. They couldn’t run any quicker down the back straight.
Hayden Barnes is sitting quietly on Northview Hustler as he accelerates clear of Lincoln Road tonight.“Hayden said he’s missed driving the horse - you don’t get behind fast ones like him very often.”
The only negative about the run was Barnes reported that while Northview Hustler was sound in front he was a little scratchy in behind.
‘We’ll have to inject his joints again. It’s just wear and tear and we can’t do much about that except to keep him comfortable. If we neglect it, he’ll end up going sore in front again.
“But he’s pulled up well and seems really bright.”
Barnes isn’t quite as happy with Lincoln Road who has won 10 races since Lincoln Farms sold him in late 2018.
“I think he’s fighting a losing battle. He’s got a lot of problems and is pretty lame. Both front legs and his back end stifles are worrying him and he’s a day-by-day proposition.”
Barnes says he doubts the rising six-year-old brother to Lincoln’s Girl and Tommy Lincoln will get back to the races. The winner of 14 of his 48 races, Lincoln Road has won $A95,247.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
