Northview Hustler runs a close and slightly unlucky fourth in the Group I Sunshine Sprint, behind Ohoka Punter, Colt Thirty One and Watch Pulp Fiction. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Good to see you back Hustler! And, hey mate, there’s no pressure for your pipe-opener
By Barry Lichter • 15 August 2019
Northview Hustler returns to the fray on Saturday night freshened up nicely after a busy campaign leading up to the Blacks A Fake Championship.
But even though he drops a rung on the top free-for-all grade, trainer Al Barnes says at just 90 percent fitness all he wants to see is the horse running on from his outside second row draw.
“We don’t expect him to win first-up, as it’s a good field, but he’ll still be competitive.”
Barnes gave the Hustler a week off after his unlucky seventh in Queensland’s A$250,000 winter feature on July 20, when he was dragged right back to the tail of the field by the tiring trailer.
“I was going to give him longer, thinking he might be leg weary from those hard runs he had, but he didn’t take long to recover and was just feeling too good.
“He’s one of the better free-for-allers around but he was eligible for the weaker race this week so we dropped him down a grade.
“It’s still a pretty good field of horses who aren’t far off free-for-all grade.
“I see the second row draw as a bonus. There’s a fair bit of speed in the race so we can be patient and let him run on and hopefully he can earn a cheque.”
With Barnes son Hayden suspended, the hot seat on Saturday night goes to younger son Brendan.
“But he’ll have no trouble, he’s not a hard horse to drive.”
With all the feature racing over, and interstate stars gone, Barnes says the Hustler, who earned $49,328 in the season just ended, “will rack up some coin” in the next few months.
“He’s right up to the best here when he’s right and will be more than competitive.”
Barnes himself will pilot Vasari one race later and, while up in company, he looks a strong chance to run first or second.
“It’s a good race for him and he’ll go close,” says Barnes.
Vasari boasts a formline of 121 and ran arguably his best race in Queensland last Saturday night when coming from the tail to run down hot favourite Tennyson Bromac in a 1:55.8 mile rate.
More news in Harness
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
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.”
