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
More news in Harness
Leo takes the lion’s share to cap terrific Manawatu season - and Ray gets a piece too
Nate looking for more Fergy magic to cap successful two months at Manawatu
Cloud over Angelic Copy again - bug threatens to force her out on Friday night at Auckland
Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
