Al’s working on Hustler’s niggles and says he’ll improve out of sight on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 12 March 2020
Trainer Al Barnes has been treating Northview Hustler for problems with his back end this week and he is confident he can go close to winning at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Northview Hustler did what Barnes expected when resuming last week, blowing out in the run home, but over a longer distance this time, from two on he gate, he says the horse will improve out of sight.
“I reckon they’ll be flat out stopping him. I’m confident he can run first or second from that draw as he’ll get a sweet trip behind the leader (Smooth Showgirl) and he’ll only have to sprint for 200 metres.
“Hustler is very quick over 200 metres and he could even beat Smooth Showgirl.”
The Hustler showed a glimpse of his vintage speed last week when driver Hayden Barnes unleashed him from the one-one 400 metres out when the parked horse Sams The Master started paddling.
He quickly ranged up three wide turning in but when he normally would have kept sprinting, he soon ran out of puff.
“We knew he’d need the run,” says Barnes. “And Hayden didn’t knock him around when he’d had enough.”
Barnes says he’s been working on a number of issues which have been bothering the Hustler including a fetlock, his feet and back muscles.
When he had acupuncture last Sunday the operator was amazed the horse had been able to sprint at all last time.
His muscles were due to be massaged today and Barnes is continually icing his leg, rubbing him with linament and treating him with ultrasound.
“We’ll keep working on him until we get it under control. It’s hard to say how he’s come to have so many little problems. He could have rolled in his box or the paddock, he might be transferring weight, or it might be because he was using different muscles while on the water walker in Sydney.
“But we’re getting him back into a routine and he’ll come good. It might take him a run or two to get back to his best because we’re not working him hard at the moment but he’s bright and eating well so I’m expecting a big run this week.”
All four of Northview Hustler’s runs this time in have been over 1660 metres, a distance he has yet to win at. The last time he raced over 2138 metres he won and his best mile rate for the trip is 1:53.1, a lot quicker than Smooth Showgirl’s best of 1:54.3.
Northview Hustler races at 11.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
