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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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
