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.
More news in Harness
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
HRNZ boss Brad Steele resigns after less than two years; chairman praises his work
$101 monster upset! - Lincoln Wave makes the most of lucky break and fills plenty of pockets
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.40pm
“She’s going as good as she can. She’s got a bit of speed but isn’t that strong. But she should get a nice trip here and be right in the frame. She’ll win one soon.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.40pm
“She’s a big filly who has taken time to mature but she has plenty of ability. She’s a good pacer and I expect her to improve on her resuming run and go well.”
Race 1: Lincoln Dealer
5.40pm
“He’s a bit of a handful, too keen for his own good sometimes, so I’ll be happy to see him just get round and do most things right. He’s no superstar but he’s coming to it slowly but surely. We’re throwing him in the deep end here and he has a terrible draw but we have to start somewhere.”
Race 4: Lincoln Maree
7.04pm
“She’s as tough as old boots and tries like hell and you can’t ask for much more than that. She just lacks a bit of speed but has a good attitude. She usually finds one or two better than her but will make them work for it anyway.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.56pm
“He’ll be improved for the last run, has trialled and is working well, and has a better draw (the ace) this time. You just have to be a bit wary because he’s let us down a couple of times.”
Race 3: Angelic Copy
5.56pm
“She had a tie-up issue but seems much better now. It’s her first run for a while so she’ll definitely need the run. I’m just hoping she gets around all right and pulls up OK.”
Race 3: Colonel Lincoln
5.56pm
“He’s a very capable horse, if injury prone, and he’s been back in work for three or four months. You never say never but, realistically, he’s just starting off so you can’t expect him to be at his peak.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
6.55pm
“I know I said it two starts back but if there’s such a thing as a certainty, he’s it. Even from seven on the gate, everything says he’s the one to beat. If he hadn’t gone a bit goofy up the home straight last time in the Sires’ Stakes Semi at Cambridge, he’d have easily run third. This is a huge drop in class.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.58pm
“I expect he’ll be a bit sharper this time. He’s looking well and feeling good but I still think another run under his belt will be beneficial for him. He’s not one to leap out of the ground but he is capable of taking the race.”
