The arrows point to the four infections that burst out of Northview Hustler’s front feet before he raced on Saturday night.
The pictures say it all: Four good reasons why the Hustler failed to fire at Menangle
By Barry Lichter • 16 February 2020
There was a very good reason why Northview Hustler failed to show his customary dash at Menangle on Saturday night - both his front feet were sore.
Trainer Al Barnes says when he arrived at the track on Saturday night and checked the horse he discovered infections had burst out of both the horse’s front feet.
“He didn’t show any sign of a problem before he left home for Sydney on Wednesday but when I lifted his feet before the race I was shattered. Infections had burst out of both sides of his heels.
“It was still a bit pussy and while horses normally feel relief after infections burst he was a bit tender and I knew he wouldn’t be at his best. You can just put a line through the race.
“The farrier here said he’d never seen four infections burst at the same time.”
Barnes says he didn’t scratch the horse, to avoid a mandatory 28-day stand down, and is confident he’ll be back to normal in a few days.
Barnes says Hustler has been tender in his feet for some time, without showing any signs of soreness, and he wonders how long the problem had been brewing.
“It’s just a shame it’s buggered up our trip but we’ll look after him and change plans.”
Barnes says he’s confident Luke McCarthy and Craig Cross will get the Hustler back to full health at Cobbitty Farm outside Sydney.
“I’ll come down as often as I can but he’s in good hands and should be fine to race in two weeks. We’ll just have to target different races.”
Instead of the $1 million Miracle Mile on March 7, Barnes says the A$100,000 Group I Bohemia Crystal (mobile 2400m) on the undercard would become the main aim.
“I know it’s disappointing. We made a plan and prepared for it and it just goes to show how easily things can be brought undone.
“But we should see a really good horse in three weeks. It’s a different style of racing at Menangle and he’s had a run there now.”
Northview Hustler ($3.80 fav), driven by McCarthy, finished last, 13.8 metres from winner Flaming Flutter on Saturday night. He dropped straight to the back from the outside gate and never cleared the rear, flushed widest turning for home and unable to pass a horse in the stretch.
The winner ran the mile in 1:53.4, closing in 55.4 and 27.3, times the Hustler is well capable of beating when right.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Angelic Copy
4.53pm
“She’s done everything right and trialled really nicely. I think she’s forward enough to give some cheek. She’s only small. You like to think when you get a good two-year-old like her that they’ll get stronger and transition into a nice three-year-old but she hasn’t grown an inch. But she tries hard and enjoys being out there.”
Race 2: Major Copy
5.28pm
“I’m looking forward to seeing him. You never really know ’til you get to the races but he’s trialled well enough to start and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went a good race, despite the draw. He’s a nice sensible colt who’s done nothing wrong and he could develop into a really nice three-year-old.”
Race 6: Lincoln Wave
7.22pm
“He was starting to get into the habit of switching off so we trained him in blinds this week and he went pretty well. He was good from a standing start at the trials with shorteners in and Maurice was actually quite bullish about his standing start manners and thinks that, in time, he’ll end up being a quick beginner. If he steps well, and can land in the first one or two, he’ll definitely be hard to get round.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He’s not spectacular from a stand but he will get away, albeit sometimes a bit slowly. Lincoln Wave has more speed than him but if it comes down to a slugfest he’d be too strong as he’s rock hard fit.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.23pm
“The blinds go back on this week and if he steps and leads like he did three starts ago that would make him the one to beat. He showed with that win that he’s above average and will be a serious chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.23pm
“You could argue she’s a Cambridge horse but sometimes when you throw them in with the bear cats they lift their game and I thought she was really good here last week. Tony (Cameron) said she’d have finished a bit closer too if he hadn’t had to take hold of her close to home (when he ran out of room and hit a marker pole).”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.23pm
“We’ve got blinds on him this week. Harry said he lost concentration a couple of times last week, including at the top of the straight, and thought he’d be a bit more on to it with blinds on. I still thought his was the run of the race last time - none of the others could have done what he did - and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.”
