With two runs under his belt, Northview Hustler will strip fit for Saturday night at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al: Cruel outside draw makes it tough and we’ll have to drive Hustler for luck
By Barry Lichter • 9 July 2020
Hayden Barnes will have to drive for luck after the barrier draw virtually took Northview Hustler out of play for the first of Albion Park’s three winter features on Saturday night.
Stranded on the outside of the arm, the Hustler looks to face an impossible task in the A$21,160 Wondai’s Mate with Queensland champion Colt Thirty One drawn inside him along with a number of other gate flyers.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Al Barnes is resigned to the Hustler going back at the start.
“I could see a bit of power early so the plan will be to try and find a hole and slot in.
“I just hope we don’t end up back last as that puts us out of the race.
“Gate seven isn’t so bad over 2600 metres but over a mile it’s tough.”
Barnes doesn’t buy into the theory that the Hustler isn’t a miler even though he has yet to win in 17 starts over a short course in Brisbane and New Zealand.
“He just hasn’t had the chance to win over a mile, certainly since he’s been here. He’s always drawn out wide or on the second row.
“If he could lead, they wouldn’t beat him.”
Barnes can see an exciting race unfolding with the Darren Weeks’ pair Lilac Flash and Major Cam drawn the two inside slots, Colt Thirty One in five and gate blazer Glenferrie Hood in six.
Al Barnes, left, checks out the pedigree of a yearling with Lincoln Farms boss John Street at the Karaka standardbred sale.Chuck in the second rowers which include in-form new-kids-on-the-block, former All Stars’ pacer Speech Is Silver, winner of 14 of his 18 starts, and Menangle visitor One Hell Of A Ride and the stage is set for a pearler.
“There’s plenty of high speed in the race and if they go silly it might suit a little swooper like the Hustler. If we drive for luck and things go his way he could earn a cheque.
“He’s honest and he’ll do his best.”
Barnes says he’s glad the Hustler had a week off racing after his massive second in the Redcliffe Gold Cup (2613m), when he mounted a solo run three wide for the last 900 metres and went down by only a nose.
“He jarred up a little after the race because the track was pretty hard and he doesn’t have the greatest of legs.
“It took a while for the jar to come out of his legs so we just jogged him for a week, enough to keep him ticking over. But he’s had plenty of fast work in the last week and he’ll do a good job.”
Barnes says it’s impossible to predict how the race will be run and the favourite won’t have things his own way.
“Colt Thirty One has five and will have respect so he may find the top or the chair but I don’t believe he’s as good when they fire him out hard.
“It’s going to be an exciting race.”
In early markets Northview Hustler is equal rank outsider at $41, with Menangle visitor Cruz at $2.70, Colt Thirty One at $2.80, Lilac Flash $5.50, Speech Is Silver $6 and One Hell Of A Ride $13.
Northview Hustler races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
