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.
More news in Harness
Omaha Lincoln long in the odds but he has enough toe to say he won’t be entirely beached
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Another Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
