Subtle Delight sneaks up the sprint lane to collar Northview Hustler at Albion Park last week.
Al: Second row draw makes it tougher but Hustler will go better than his odds suggest
By Barry Lichter • 14 August 2020
A second row draw will see Northview Hustler driven quietly at Albion Park on Saturday night but trainer Al Barnes still expects him to earn a cheque.
Barnes believe the horse is over the odds at 12-to-one in the fifth race given he ran so well last week when collared only close to the post by the trailing Subtle Delight.
But while he led from a great draw in that race, and goes back to the second line on Saturday night, Barnes believes he only needs a strong tempo to run into the money.
“We’ll sit patiently in the running line, as we know he likes it that way and, if he goes his usual 54 half, he’ll run on into the money.
“If they walk and sprint home it will make it tough but I think he’ll be competitive.”
Barnes reports the Hustler has done very well in training during the week.
“I’m very happy with him, he’s getting better with every race. His last two runs have been excellent and I’d have thought he’d be a five-to-one or six-to-one chance.”
Barnes sees Sydney visitor Bright Energy as the No. 1 contender after a big run last week when beaten only a neck by Mister Brazil.
“He’s drawn the outside so may have to sit parked but he’s going well.”
The Hustler has raced in each of the last five weeks so Barnes plans to miss next Saturday night when the race is over only a mile, not his best distance.
Northview Hustler races at 9.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night
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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.”
