Cheap run’s all good, says Al, as Hustler peaks for the big one at Albion Park next week
By Barry Lichter • 3 December 2020
If anything, trainer Al Barnes was happy to see Northview Hustler draw the inside of the second line for Saturday night’s A$50,660 Queensland Cup at Albion Park.
While it won’t help his chances much in the second of the three Queensland summer features, it means the horse won’t have a gut buster before his main mission the following week, the A$175,660 Blacks A Fake.
“We should get a good trip three fence and if he can run top five that would be great.
“A cheap run this week won’t hurt us. We can go into next week without being knocked around and be right in mind and body.”
Northview Hustler runs fourth to Colt Thirty One, One Change and Turn It Up in the Be Good Johnny Sprint.While the Hustler ran a terrific fourth in last Saturday’s Be Good Johnny Sprint, Barnes admits to being a shade disappointed that he dropped off Colt Thirty One’s back in the home straight.
“Initially I was worried we might have overdone it during the week, because it was very hot, but Hayden said no, while we fast worked him twice he wasn’t worked hard.
“It could be just that his fitness didn’t allow him to cope with a 1:51.9 mile rate. He didn’t have a hard run the previous week.”
It wasn’t as if the Hustler wasn’t humming - he actually paced faster last sectionals than the previous week when he took closing time honours. In finishing 6.2 metres from Colt Thirty One he closed in 54.28 and 26.51, only fractionally slower than winner who clocked 54.21 and 26.46.
Barnes backed off the work a touch this last week though, fast working the horse only once, on Wednesday.
“He pulled up great last week but we’ve kept him a bit fresher - it’s hard to put the work into them when the temperatures are in the high 30s and low 40s.
“But he’s in a good yard with plenty of shade.”
Barnes said the Hustler would keep improving as the distances increased - on Saturday night the cup is over 2138 metres and the Blacks A Fake is at 2680 metres, “which will be our forte.”
“I’d actually be happy for the same draw next week rather than being wide or having to work early.
“We’re confident he’ll do a good job. He’s proven week in and week out that with the right run he can be right there.
“We’re rapt with him. And he’s sound, which is our main goal.”
Northview Hustler races at 11.18pm 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.”
