Al’s tip to Hustler owners for the Blacks A Fake on Saturday night - just enjoy the ride
By Barry Lichter • 11 December 2020
Trainer Al Barnes has one good piece of advice for the Kiwi owners of Northview Hustler - just sit back and enjoy watching him go round in Queensland’s biggest race of the year.
The field for Saturday night’s Group I A$175,000 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park is so strong and Lincoln Farms’ little hero has drawn so badly that Barnes says it’s hard to see him finishing in the top six.
The enormity of the Hustler’s task is reflected in the odds Superbet will give you - $151 to win and $17 for a place - whereas they have former Lincoln Farms’ pacer King Of Swing a red hot $1.50 favourite.
This text from Carl Officer, whose Waikato Four Legs syndicate has a share in Northview Hustler, shows he is certainly enjoying the ride.“King Of Swing and a few of the others will be too good for us but the owners should just be happy to be involved for the second year on end.”
The Hustler’s chances evaporated at the barrier draw function earlier in the week when stand-in driver Brendan Barnes didn’t even get the chance to choose his spot on the gate - the Hustler’s name was last out of the hat and he was left with gate six.
“There’ll be a lot of speed inside him so he’ll have to go back and find a possie and follow them round.
“We just have to hope they go hard to make it a staying test so he can run on.”
The Blacks A Fake is run at 2680 metres, a longer trip that Barnes says Hustler will appreciate.
“But it will be very hard coming from last when they’re going such fast times up front.”
Barnes was happy with the Hustler’s final lead-up run last Saturday night when he was snowed away three deep on the pegs from a second row draw and sprinted home late for seventh, 8.7 metres from the winner Cruz.
His closing sectionals were right on a par with those of his most recent efforts, 55.19 and 26.88, fractionally faster than the times clocked by the winner.
“He’s had a good week and he’s fit and rearing to go.”
Northview Hustler (green silks) makes good ground up the inner behind Cruz, Colt Thirty One and One Change in the Queensland Cup last Saturday night.With regular driver Hayden Barnes away on holiday, the reins go to his brother Brendan who knows the horse well and has driven him to win previously at Albion Park.
King Of Swing, who was sold by Lincoln Farms for big money after winning the Breeders’ Crown at two, has gone on to win $1.5 million and is the reigning Miracle Mile and Hunter Cup winner.
His two lead-up wins in Group III races at Menangle were terrific, both times coming off the outside of the gate, winning a mile in 1:49.6 and clocking a mile rate of 1:53.5 for 2300 metres.
His clash with Colt Thirty One ($8.50) will be intriguing with the local hero definitely at a disadvantage after drawing three on the second line.
A full preview and live coverage of the race will be shown on the mainstream Channel Seven network starting at 8.30pm local time with the start time at 9.12pm.
Earlier, Barnes is expecting Larry Lincoln to be right in the fight again after drawing gate three in the fifth race.
“It’s a strong race but Larry is up to them. He’s going well, he’s going to be handy from a good draw and he loves a mile. He’s a good each way chance.”
Larry Lincoln bounced back to his best last week when pipped half a neck by former Kiwi Oaxacan Dream, after sitting three back on the outer and unleashing his now trademark late sprint.
Northview Hustler races at 12.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Larry Lincoln races at 10.35pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
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.”
