Al fizzing about a rejuvenated Hustler who has the perfect draw to use his speed late
By Barry Lichter • 26 November 2020
“They’ll know he’s alive if he’s on their backs.”
That’s the prediction of Northview Hustler’s trainer Al Barnes who admits to having renewed excitement about the Kiwi as he tackles the first of Queensland’s summer carnival features on Saturday night.
But it’s not just the fact that the Hustler drew perfectly in three for the A$30,000 Be Good Johnny Sprint at Albion Park that’s had Barnes walking with a spring in his step this week.
And it wasn’t the sensational closing sectionals that the Hustler posted again in his come-from-last first-up run last Saturday night.
Barnes’ confidence soared the most after the race and in the following days when it became obvious that the horse was pain-free for the first time in months.
Northview Hustler at his Marburg stable today, coat as “black as black with dapples.”“We haven’t had him this sound for ages,” says Barnes. “There’s no swelling in his fetlock and his feet look really good. The treatment programme we have him on has taken a while to work and for everything to settle.
“But he’s not feeling pain any more and he knows he won’t hurt so he has confidence in himself. He’s running on like he used to when he first came over from New Zealand.”
Last week, in his first race for a month, the Hustler was last at the bell, improved three wide with cover, then sprinted round four wide on the home turn, unleashing a huge sprint for fourth, just 3.8 metres off Brisbane champ Colt Thirty One.
He was credited with a closing 800 metres in 55.11 and 400 in 26.54, easily the fastest in the race. Colt Thirty One, who sat parked, clocked 56.16 and 26.96.
“His last three runs have all been really good and I’m sure it’s also because the track’s nice and soft now, not rock hard.”
The Hustler has had one his best weeks for a while, sharp in his Tuesday and Thursday fast work when worked two trips over 2400 metres, with a walk of the track in between.
“He’s been very bright and looks a treat. He’s black as black and has dapples in his coat.
“Hayden has done a good job looking after his leg, icing it each time after he works.”
Barnes estimates the Hustler’s fitness at 95% for the Be Good Johnny when he maps the horse to get a perfect one-one trip.
“I expect the two (Turn It Up) to cross the one (One Change) and Huss will go forward and sit on Colt Thirty One’s back.
“This run on Saturday will top him off and he’ll be spot on the next week. I’m getting a bit excited about the Blacks A Fake too.”
The Group I A$175,660 Blacks A Fake (2680m) is the last of the big three races at Albion Park on December 12.
The Hustler made up more than 15 metres on the leaders in the last 800 metres last week, recording easily the fastest sectional times.
Northview Hustler races at 11.47pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
