Northview Hustler has dazzling speed and should be suited to a big track like Menangle. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Bring it on, says Al: Northview Hustler’s raw speed will carry him a long way in Sydney
By Barry Lichter • 11 February 2020
Northview Hustler will make the trek from Queensland to Sydney tomorrow afternoon, nicely primed for his first race at Menangle on Saturday night.
The Hustler might have run only ninth at Albion Park last Saturday night but he was never able to get into the race from his wide gate and was credited with the fastest closing sectionals in the race, scorching his last 800 metres a full second faster than winner Zahven Banner in 54.94, with his last 400 in 26.97.
It’s just that kind of speed that trainer Al Barnes hopes will see him make his mark in New South Wales where he is bidding to earn a start in the A$1 million Miracle Mile on March 7.
“I reckon he’ll do a super job at Menangle. He runs a mean half. And if he can run 53 round Albion Park just imagine what he can do at Menangle? He’ll be able to sit in midfield and peel out and run a straight 400.
Northview Hustler ran the fastest last 800 and 400 at Albion Park last Saturday night, making up 13.7 metres on the leaders over the last 800.“At Menangle you can come from anywhere and win but it’s hard to win at Albion Park from seven, where Hustler drew at the weekend.”
Barnes will dispatch the Hustler to Luke McCarthy’s Cobbitty Farm on the outskirts of Sydney - assuming the transporter can navigate the flooded state - but the horse will remain in his name and he’ll go south to supervise on racedays.
Hayden Barnes … knows the Hustler so well.Barnes’ driver son Hayden will also go south to keep his association with the Hustler.
“He deserves the opportunity as he does all the work on Hustler at home so knows him well and I really rate him as a driver.”
Barnes hopes the Hustler can run a top race on Saturday night where he has drawn one from the outside over a mile and is the second highest rated horse in the field.
The horse will have two chances to earn a place in the eight-horse Miracle Mile field in the A$100,000 Newcastle Mile on February 21 and the A$100,000 Schweppes Sprint (1609m) at Menangle on February 29.
And Barnes says if that proves beyond him, there are other good races for the horse like the Group I A$100,000 Bohemia Crystal (2400m) on Miracle Mile night.
“When you’ve got one as good as Hustler you’ve got to have a go. The syndicate is racing him for some fun, and the money’s good, so we’ll attack it and do our best.
“With a handy run he’s quite capable of being competitive.”
Barnes says it’s Hustler’s competitive nature that makes it so soul destroying watching him trying to come from impossible draws at Albion Park.
“The trouble with Hustler is he just tries so hard.”
Northview Hustler races at 12.54am NZ time at Menangle 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.”
