High maintenance Hustler makes Al and son Hayden proud with his 16th win - wire to wire
By Barry Lichter • 13 February 2021
Northview Hustler again repaid trainer Al Barnes for all the time he puts into the horse when he scored another all-the-way win at Albion Park in Brisbane tonight.
The Hustler dictated from dispatch, driver Hayden Barnes dictating terms perfectly in front. And after being allowed to get away with opening quarters of 31.2 and 30.3, the little black was never going to be caught, leaving his rivals breathless with his final two sectionals in 27.9 and 26.9 to win by 2.8 metres.
It was Northview Hustler’s eighth win since being sent to Barnes’ Marburg stable in Queensland and 16th in all, taking his earnings from 84 starts to $127,471 in New Zealand and A$103,493 in Australia.
Hayden Barnes has it all sewn up on Northview Hustler tonight.But the going hasn’t been easy for Barnes who looked on with plenty of pride as the seven-year-old led the field back.
“He looks amazing and he’s in great spirits but he’s such a high maintenance horse now. He has trouble with his fetlock and feet and keeping him sound is a real battle.
“He gets corns all the time. I had to cut a big chunk out of his heel after the last carnival.”
Barnes fitted the Hustler with a bar shoe to float the heel and take pressure off the bruising and says he uses ice boots to help his joints every day.
“They go at such high speeds that his joints struggle to handle it but he gets the best care, the best of everything, and he’s responding to it.
“It just shows you what he can do when he gets a draw. The free-for-alls here aren’t weak but they lack depth and he’s really got a motor.”
Barnes said his son was rapt after the race and justifiably so as he did a perfect job rating the horse.
Al Barnes … “Huss is very high maintenance but he gets the best care, the best of everything.”“We’ve got only four horses here so life’s a struggle but it makes it worthwhile when you get a horse like the Hustler and he comes out and does that.”
The Hustler, who was sent out an even money favourite, clocked a mile rate of 1:56.3 for the 2138 metres to beat Rock With Sam, Clintal Do and the second favourite Major Cam, who found the job of coming from last too tough.
Barnes was also delighted with the performance of Larry Lincoln earlier in the night after he went forward, couldn’t get in, and had to be dragged all the way back to last.
Despite that the horse still mounted a big late charge to finish fourth, only 8.7 metres from winner One Off.
“He was huge and is absolutely flying. He’ll get one soon.”
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
