Al: We’ll be in front after 400 metres - Hustler’s the one to beat in Redcliffe Gold Cup
By Barry Lichter • 26 June 2020
Northview Hustler might be on a 10 metre handicap in Saturday night’s A$25,630 Redcliffe Gold Cup but trainer Al Barnes says to expect him to be in front after 400 metres.
And from there, he says “good luck to those chasing him” as the horse has the speed to reel off a 54 last half round the tight triangular circuit.
“He’s a $3.60 favourite and in my opinion those are generous odds.
“For a horse like him, that steps so fast, 10 metres isn’t much of a handicap and we’re fairly confident of winning.
“Most of those horses on the front line won’t step like him. We don’t have that many stands over here and more than half of them will probably canter and be slow away.
“Hustler’s definitely the horse to beat. He’s improved through the week, has tightened up, and licked his bowl clean.”
Barnes was rapt with the Hustler’s first-up run last week when he all but beat Queensland champ Colt Thirty One at Albion Park in his first start for more than three months.
The Hustler looked to have the measure of Cost Thirty One when he dashed clear turning for home but just ran out of condition late, collared a long neck.
Top driver Pete McMullen, standing in for Barnes’ suspended son Hayden, did a great job considering he didn’t know the horse, and how much speed he had.
“And if we had won that race we’d have been a $1.80 favourite on Saturday.”
Barnes believes Northview Hustler is the best horse in the race and, while another backmarker Tennyson Bromac will provide tough opposition, he says the longer 2613 metres will really suit ther Lincoln Farms horse.
“It’s a good race for him and I expect him to beat them for speed even though a few might try to turn it into a staying test.
“But there are no Colt Thirty Ones in the field and Hayden’s back on this time.”
Barnes says after a horrible eight months when the Hustler has had one setback after another, he’s delighted the horse is finally sound again.
“It’s nice to have him back on the right track.”
Northview Hustler races at 10.07pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
