Hustler gives them windburn, reminding Hayden why he loves the little champ so much

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.