Northview Hustler, nearest camera, blazes home to run Colt Thirty One close last week.
Early fireworks would help high speed closer Northview Hustler on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 23 October 2020
Trainer Al Barnes is hoping for early fireworks at Albion Park on Saturday night so Northview Hustler can again use his dazzling late speed to the best effect.
The Hustler will again start from a wide gate in the third race, one spot inside hot favourite and former All Stars’ pinup Turn It Up.
But Barnes says if he can repeat his run of last week - when he unleashed a whirlwind run from the tail of the field on the home turn for a close third - he can get some of the money again.
The Hustler was taken back that night and driven very quietly by Hayden Barnes before reeling off the fastest sectionals in the race of 54.79 and 26.37, a full second faster than winner Colt Thirty One.
“His run was exceptional. Since the track was redone you’d only see a run from the back of the field like that in one out of 40 races.
“The track is slowly improving but it’s still not binding yet and is heavy.”
And while the hope is that when the surface compacts it will provide good footing in both wet and dry conditions, until then horses will continue to struggle to make inroads on the leaders.
“The Hustler’s chances depend on how the race is run. With the one and three horses having gate speed there could be early fireworks, which would suit him, as we’ll probably drive him the same this week.
“He doesn’t need to go forward and do all the work. And he’s still not 100 percent yet. His coat is still a bit dull.
“But he’s honest, he’s improving, and he’ll do a good job.”
Barnes has five weeks to peak the Hustler for the first of the three summer carnival features, the Group III A$30,660 Be Good Johnny Sprint (1660m) on November 28.
Northview Hustler races at 9.48pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
