Great job Al, that’s the Hustler we love - and from two Hayden can put him on the front end
By Barry Lichter • 7 August 2020
The draws are finally starting to go Northview Hustler’s way and trainer Al Barnes tips he’s a live chance at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Buoyed by the Hustler’s outstanding run for fourth last week, and a good week on the training track, Barnes is looking forward to putting it to the new star on the block, Cruz.
The Hustler showed he was still competitive at the top level last Saturday night when he came from four deep on the markers at the bell to finish a close fourth, only 3.2 metres behind Cruz, unleashing a paralysing home stretch burst.
Queensland harness racing’s sectional records show he ran easily the fastest last splits in the field, making up 10.6 metres on the leaders over the last 800 metres in clocking 53.98 and ripping home from the 400 in 26.98.
He was the only horse to break 54 and 27 and, by comparison, winner Cruz ran 54.39 and 27.4 on his way to a sizzling 1:50.8 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
Northview Hustler ran staggering sectionals last week.Barnes said he and his driver son Hayden didn’t know whether to to go forward or back from his awkward five draw.
“I left it up to Hayden and he made the right decision as the horse only ran up the home straight and the run will give him a bit of confidence.
“At least he’s turned the corner and looks like he’s getting back to his best. I was starting to tear out my hair.”
Barnes said the Hustler pulled up well from the run and not long afterwards was bright and rearing in the stable.
“It’s been stressful. It’s a fine line when you’re running 1:50 miles as to what work you put into them the next week.
“Last season we were just jogging him during the week and not giving him any fast work and it worked perfectly.
Different horse
“But he’s such a different horse now. It’s surprising how much he’s changed.”
Barnes believes it might have taken the horse a long time to get over his gelding.
“He’s no longer a skinny, lightly framed thing who hardly ate but is a big, tubby horse who has put on so much muscle and bulk.”
Hoppled on both Tuesday and Thursday again this week the Hustler has thrived.
“He’s improved through the week and I can’t fault him. After his work, his heart rate was down to 91, which is a lot better than it’s been. He’s at his best when it’s in the 80s.
“I think we’ll see a different horse on Saturday night and the run should top him off completely.
“It was our error before. He just got away on us. We were being too kind on him, trying to keep him sound, and he was blowing up like a fat pig.”
Barnes expects the Hustler to have the early speed to cross pole runner Subtle Delight, make play from the front, and be hard to catch over his favourite distance of 2138 metres.
Cruz, on the inside of the second row, will need some luck and Lucky Creed winner Kid Montana will have to plot a path from five.
Northview Hustler races at 8.14pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
