Northview Hustler, pictured today, is nearly ready to start his rehab.
Al greets three new Queensland recruits and readies to start rehab work on the Hustler
By Barry Lichter • 8 November 2019
Al Barnes says he loves a challenge and the three new recruits which arrived at his Marburg stable in Queensland yesterday are sure to provide him with that.
Super Easy, Joey Lincoln and Cover Boy Pretty are the only three of Lincoln Farms’ class of 2018 who have not raced.
And Barnes reckons he could see why as soon as Cover Boy Pretty and Super Easy stepped off the truck.
Cover Boy Pretty … huge and needs time.“They’re dead set monsters, big and wide, and you can see they need time. But they haven’t been stamped urgent, so I have time to get them to the races when they’re ready.
“All three are lovely animals, and well bred types, but they’ve had time off so it will be a while before they’re fit.
“And I love a challenge with horses who have been sacked like Joey Lincoln.”
Sweet Lou three-year-old Joey Lincoln had five workouts for Pukekohe trainer Ray Green, and was still making mistakes in his last, on September 28.
Super Easy, an Art Major three-year-old, is a brother of Alleluia, who has been a big winner in Queensland, and is now the winner of 35 races. He has had four workouts and three trials without distinguishing himself.
He’s Watching gelding Cover Boy Pretty, who has not trialled, is a half brother to 17-race winner Buy Chevron Direct who also raced in Queensland.
Hustler looks in good condition despite having been locked up for six weeks.Hustler due for scan
Meanwhile, Barnes reports stable star Northview Hustler, sidelined with a tendon injury since winning his last start in September, could start his rehab soon.
“He’s had six weeks locked in his box and the tendon is straightening up well. I’ll get it scanned next week and he could be ready to start hand walking to start stretching the tendon.
“We’ve got lots of time and I’ll be targeting the Hunter Cup in February. We know he’s up to that class.”
Sir Tiger is also recovering well after being gelded.
“He’s healing quickly and is back jogging. I’ll give him a couple of weeks of light work before we get back into it.”
Barnes won’t take Billy Lincoln back to Redcliffe after he was beaten as a hot favourite there last week.
“It was a horrible night for his first look at the track, pouring with rain - Hayden said he couldn’t see two feet in front of him.
“He didn’t hit a knee but he locked on one rein a few times round the turns.
‘I’ll wait until next Thursday when racing returns to Albion Park.”
More news in Harness
Friday night’s main event: In the blue corner, Tyson, in the red corner, Sugar Ray
After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
