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
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Ray reaches for the half hopples to keep Whats Up The Hill trotting at Cambridge on Thursday
Debbie Lincoln’s sizzling win has namesake Debbie Green excited about the future
A Moose in his happy place is a fast Moose but programming hurdles lie ahead
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Whats Up The Hill
4.59pm
“Fergie wasn’t exuding praise for him after his last start when he galloped away. But we’ve taken everything off him this time, no half hopples, no fixed deafeners, and that’s the same as when he won at Auckland last prep.”
Race 5: Lincoln La Moose
6.45pm
“The winner had it handed to him last time, when he went only 2:45.9, and that meant he outsprinted our boy with a 56.3 last half. When we won the previous week he went 2:40. He likes to roll along, so it will be tempo dependent. It’s his first go from a stand and only second at 2700 metres so we’ll find out if he likes it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
6.49pm
“We’ve never really tried to leave the gate with her but, from the inside draw, she has the advantage and should lead or trail. You’d have to say on her last run she’s the best chance of our trio.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.49pm
“He’s thriving and looking very well. He was only just beaten last time and, from two, should get every chance.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.49pm
“His closing sectionals were very fast last week and he never goes a bad race. The draw isn’t as desirable, but the small field helps.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.21pm
“He had to do a lot of work last week. You can never count him out because he’s so tough.”
