Northview Hustler whistles past Chantrey to score an easy win at Albion Park, his fourth since arriving in Queensland.
Slick Hustler Lincoln Farms’ very own ATM machine - and they’re queuing up to pilot him
By Barry Lichter • 25 August 2019
Trainer Al Barnes described Northview Hustler as an ATM machine for Lincoln Farms after his electric sprint home to win at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Gifted the perfect trail behind pacemaker Chantrey, the little black zipped up the passing lane for Brendan Barnes in a sizzling 26.7 to claim a two metre win.
The win, in a free-for-all worth A$14,700, saw his bankroll swell by A$7990, just the start of what Barnes predicts will be regular deposits.
“He’s one of the top three pacers in Queensland and should be in the top three nearly every week. He’s a good little ATM machine.”
In the absence of Colt Thirty One and Major Cam, Barnes says the Hustler should be ultra competitive, especially in races over 2138 metres.
“That trip plays into his hands. A lot of the Aussie horses are really only milers because they go so hard but Hustler loves it.
“Miles bring him back to the field - bad draws can bring you undone - but over 2138 metres if you draw badly you’ve got time to balance up.”
Barnes says his only worry last night was that Chantrey wouldn’t get Hustler to the lane, but the leader had got away with a pedestrian 32 first quarter, almost unheard of in that class.
It allowed a coiled-up Hustler to explode over his last 800 metres in 54.1 and win untouched.
Al Barnes and son Brendan who did the honours behind the Hustler last night.“I never had to turn the whip,” said Brendan Barnes, pinch hitting for his suspended older brother Hayden.
“I didn’t even have to chase him to hold the spot behind the leader, he did it under his own steam.
“I don’t think I’ve driven a horse as fast as him. He goes from cruising to top speed as soon as you ask him to go.”
But young Barnes will have to move over for older bro Hayden next week when dad says the horse should be even better.
“He’ll just keep improving every week. On fitness he’s getting close but there still a few little things we have to iron out, like his fetlock joints. He paced better last night but he still has corns in his feet.”
Barnes says Hustler also has a side to him that we haven’t seen yet.
“We haven’t had to race him tough yet and we know he’s capable of doing that.
“At the moment he’s too quick for them but he can sit in the chair too. He’s done it only once, and failed, but that was in a fast lead time against Colt Thirty One.”
Barnes says he may even kick Hayden out of the cart and take a drive himself behind Hustler.
“But I’ll wait until the right race comes along.”
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.”
