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
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
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.”
