Cheap run’s all good, says Al, as Hustler peaks for the big one at Albion Park next week

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.