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.
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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.”
