Northview Hustler is airborne at the finish of his Albion Park trial on Tuesday.
Al: Good night in the offing for Lincoln Farms with Hustler and Vasari both set to lead
By Barry Lichter • 16 May 2019
Trainer Al Barnes is predicting a good night for Lincoln Farms on Saturday, confident of good results with both Northview Hustler and Vasari at Albion Park in Brisbane.
Barnes says he’s the most confident he’s been for a while with Vasari drawn the ace in a heat of the Young Drivers’ Championship at 8.45pm NZ time. And he believes Northview Hustler will stand up in his Queensland debut by playing catch-me-if-you can in the Flashing Red Handicap half an hour later.
Northview Hustler … licking the bowl clean in his new home at Marburg.After Barnes trialled Hustler last Tuesday, and he won by 62 metres, he stipulated he’d only start the horse on Saturday night if he recovered well and ate up.
And today he says he’s been absolutely delighted with Hustler “who has been licking the bin clean every day.
“I can’t fault him. I normally feed 4kg of grain to my horses but I’ve been giving him 6kg, plus chaff and hay, and all he’s left is a handful of chaff scraps.
“I think we’ve got him spot on. Hayden jogged him in the cart this morning and said he felt bright.’’
Barnes believes Hustler can make the most of his front row draw on Saturday night by getting away fast, thanks to some expert tips from his regular driver in New Zealand, Andre Poutama.
Poutama, who is in Brisbane for a wedding on Saturday night, and drove a couple of “slow” horses for the stable at the races today, has given his new driver some good pointers, says Barnes.
Andre Poutama, pictured getting a well done kiss from co-owner Carl Officer, is in Brisbane and has given a few pointers on Hustler and his quirks“Hayden stood him flat footed and let him amble away in the trial but we’ll keep him moving and on his toes on Saturday, and give him a smack on the bum.’’
A smart beginning is crucial for Hustler’s chances on Saturday in a field where he has strong opposition on both the 10 metre and 20 metre handicaps.
“Everyone over here knows he’s got ability and I’m hoping he’ll have respect and get the front.
“And if he’s running fast in front it’s going to make it awfully hard for the others to catch him.
“He’s got youth on his side whereas a lot of the rest are older. Hughie Green’s probably the class horse but he’s getting on and is coming back from injury so it’s a tough ask for him.’’
Many in the field will also struggle to see out the 2647 metres, says Barnes. “Mo Casino will but not if he’s pressured.’’
“I’m confident Hustler is going to do a good job over here.’’
A round from home last Friday and Vasari is bolting out of control, with the field strung out behind him.Very bullish on Vasari
Barnes says Sportsbet has Hustler a $3 favourite in the early market for the Flashing Red but punters can get as much as $7 for Vasari in the fourth race.
“I’m the most confident I’ve been for quite a while about a horse because he’s back to a mile and he’s drawn one.’’
Vasari will be driven by 18-year-old Taleah McMullen and Barnes says the lightly framed junior should suit the horse well.
“She’s only got to let him run 27.5 out of the gate and roll 29 quarters and he should lead all the way.’’
Barnes says there won’t be any repeat of last Friday’s run by Vasari when he was out of control in the lead and stopped to sixth over 2138 metres.
The run was in complete contrast to his debut Queensland run when Barnes took off his hood and the horse never got warm at the back of the field.
“He only got all fired up like that because we tried to wake him up by giving him a smack on the bum in his preliminary and out of the gate.
“But we know now how to switch him on and off. He’ll wear a pulling bit on Saturday night, as well as the hood, and he’ll be controllable.
“If Taleah can lead, he should run 1:52, and comfortably.’’
Barnes is hoping he can start off the night on a good note with former Lincoln Farms’ horse Lincoln Road in the third race at 8.15pm.
“He’s drawn eight but it’s only an eight horse field and I reckon he can knock them off.’’
Vasari races at 8.45pm NZ time on Saturday night.
Northview Hustler races at 9.14pm NZ time on Saturday night.
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No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
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.”
