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
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Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
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.”
