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.
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Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
