Regular driver Andre Poutama will go south to drive Northview Hustler on Monday.
A clean start on Monday and we’ll find out where Hustler sits against the big guns
By Barry Lichter • 21 October 2018
Northview Hustler only has to step cleanly to be competitive in Monday’s Flying Stakes at Ashburton, says trainer Ray Green.
On his first big trip away from home, Hustler meets a strong line-up in the $50,000 Labour Day feature, most of the New Zealand Cup favourites against him.
But from three on the tapes, Green says he will have his chance to make a statement, providing he can begin swiftly.
Hustler was unlucky to bungle the start at Auckland last week when he got too close to the tape and reared when it was released, scrambling to hit his straps for the first 100 metres.
“He’s not infallible at the start but he very rarely makes mistakes.”
Hustler only has to begin as well as he did when leading all the way in the Spring Cup at his previous start - when he picked up speed quickly from his 20 metre handicap and was in front after 400 metres - to be right in the van from the outset.
On Monday nine horses share the front line in the 2400 metre event, with Alta Orlando unruly, out wide and just in behind them.
“He’s run well in his last two starts and there’s no reason to think he won’t go well again,” says Green. “Yes, it’s the first time he’s travelled anywhere, except for three times to Cambridge, but he’s a sensible horse and he’s had his mate (Beaudiene Western) down there with him. He’s stabled next to him at home and they rub noses every night.
“Craig (Sharpe) said he settled in straight away down there at Ken Barron’s and he feels on top of his game.
“He’s racing the best of the best now, the best in the southern hemisphere, and it remains to be seen if he’s good enough. We’ll be hoping some of them make mistakes and we can pounce on them.”
Bookies don’t rate Hustler on Monday, pricing him equal rank outsider at $37 to win and $7.20 a place along with No Doctor Needed and Letspendanitetogetha. He is even longer for the Trotting Cup at $51 and $12.50.
The three favourites at Ashburton are Ultimate Machete $3.80, Dream About Me $4 and Star Galleria $4.20.
Beaudiene Western one to beat
Beaudiene Western, sold on Monday to Perth, continues his Sires’ Stakes campaign in the fifth race and Green expects him to be extremely competitive.
“He has to be the one to beat. Compared with what he’s been racing up here it looks a step down and he should get a good trip from four.
“He’s never been 2400 metres before but that shouldn’t worry him. That one of Robert Dunn’s, Henry Hubert, is a handy horse but he’s drawn badly.”
Green says depending on how Beaudiene Western comes through the race he might contest the final Sires’ Stakes heat at Addington on November 2.
He has already qualified for the $170,000 Final run on cup day, November 13.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
