Northview Hustler, extreme left, winds up late in the Wondai’s Mate at Albion Park.
Supersonic sectionals but draw shipwrecks poor Hustler again on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 17 July 2020
Northview Hustler needed only a half decent draw to be a major factor in Saturday night’s A$25,630 Listed Mr Feelgood at Albion Park in Brisbane - but yet again his hopes have been dashed.
And when he lines up from three on the second row in the 2138 metre feature he’ll be one of the outsiders at $31.
The Hustler might have looked disappointing to the uninitiated last Saturday night when he could manage only eighth of 10 in the Wondai’s Mate but he actually ran the hands off the clock in the fastest mile run in the state for six years.
Forced to go back to last from his extreme outside draw, driver Hayden Barnes faced an impossible task with Cruz running record sectionals in front.
The Hustler was still last turning for home three wide and when shown clear air four wide down the stretch he really hit his straps.
At the post he was only 13.7 metres from Cruz who was credited with a track record-equalling 1:53.9 for the 1660 metres, a mile rate of 1:50.4.
Not since the champion pacer I’m Themightyquinn ran exactly the same time in the 2014 Sunshine Sprint have such numbers been semaphored at Albion Park.
And, incredibly, only one horse, fifth-placed Speech Is Silver, paced marginally faster last 800 and 400 metre sectionals than Northview Hustler who steamed home in 53.63 and 25.98, making up 8.5 metres on the leaders over the last 800 metres.
By comparison winner Cruz paced 54.20 and 26.50 and runner-up Colt Thirty One recorded 54.17 and 26.57.
Northview Hustler ran the second fastest closing sectionals in the race - 53.63 and 25.98.
But with all three of those fancied runners drawing the front line on Saturday night, trainer Al Barnes knows it will take an enormous effort for the Hustler to get into the action.
“All we can do is try to find a spot, drive him quietly and hope for some luck.”
Barnes was delighted with the Hustler’s effort last week and says he has improved with it.
“Hayden didn’t knock him around and he had a bit left in the locker.
“I actually think he’s come back a better horse this time in. He’s a lot sounder than he’s been in a long time - his legs and feet are good - and he’s very fit and healthy.
“We just have to look forward to next week and hope for a good draw.”
The A$25,630 Lucky Creed is run over the longer trip of 2680 metres, a distance Barnes says few of Hustler’s opposition can handle.
“At least these aren’t $200,000 races or Group Ones. And the following week he’ll be able to go round in weaker races for A$14,000.”
Northview Hustler races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
