Al’s surprise for keen Kiwi owners - Hustler’s all go to resume on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 16 June 2020
Northview Hustler will be a surprise starter on Saturday night after winning his third trial on end at Albion Park this afternoon.
The Hustler toyed with his inferior rivals today, two other pacers and eight trotters unable to match his high speed in front.
Trainer Al Barnes wanted Lincoln Farms’ Queensland flag bearer to start over 2138 metres today, not 1660 metres, to increase his fitness for the upcoming Redcliffe Cup and the only option was the standing heat against mostly trotters.
The Hustler showed his rustiness from the stand too as he cantered for a dozen strides before driver Hayden Barnes got him to fill his hopples, but he was still able to find the front soon after the start.
From there on it was a procession, as none of the trotters could make ground from their handicaps with the Hustler reeling off a 55 last half and 26.9 quarter.
Northview Hustler is not tested to downs Subtle Delight today.He hit the line full of running, three metres in front of Subtle Delight, with the other pacer Elzboy another 19.5 metres astern, clocking a mile rate of 1:59.1.
Barnes wasn’t too concerned by the six-year-old’s poor beginning, even though he has only 11 days until the $25,630 Redcliffe Cup, a standing start Listed feature over 2613 metres.
“The ones on 40 metres were mucking around for a while and he was just caught a bit flat footed. We know he needs to be angled out and dragged down at the start.
“He stepped horribly in his Tuesday trial before the Flashing Red last year and was perfect in the race.
“We’ll give him a little more practice at home and I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
New cushion shoes
The most encouraging aspect of Hustler’s trial today was the way he paced in new cushion shoes.
Barnes trialled the horse with an aluminium shoe, under which he fitted a pad, with dozens of small holes, through which silicon gel was squirted to act as a super shock absorber.
“Hayden said he warmed up horribly but once he got going he was fine. We wanted to make sure he handled the shoes and Hayden said he paced perfectly.”
Barnes had been a little wary about the Hustler being scratchy in behind in his two previous trials but after being injected last week, the horse was much freer in his action today.
“Hayden said the horse won it quite easily and that’s good because we didn’t want to knock him around four days out from the race.”
Barnes originally intended bringing Hustler back to Albion Park on Sunday for a fast training run but has since decided he might as well race to gain just that little bit more fitness for Redcliffe, the first of four winter features in the post-COVID Queensland calendar.
“I wouldn’t have raced him on Saturday had it been a mile but the race is over 2138 metres, which is perfect for him.”
The race is programmed to have a stake of A$14,540.
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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.”
