Hustler big on the clock today - and it’s only 18 more sleeps until we see him back
By Barry Lichter • 9 June 2020
Northview Hustler took another big step to the A$25,630 Redcliffe Gold Cup in 18 days when he scorched round Albion Park in a 1:53.2 mile rate this afternoon.
Firing straight to the lead from his outside draw, the Hustler led all the way over the 1660 metres, reeling off his last 800 metres in a slick 54.1 and 400 in 26.6.
Best of all, driver Hayden Barnes never put the horse under pressure to win by five metres over Mymatepog with classy mare Smart As Camm Be another 7.8 metres away in third.
“Hayden said he did it within himself,” said trainer Al Barnes. “But he needed a good hitout. His heart rate after ten minutes dropped from 100 to 87 so he’s still got a way to reach peak fitness. Last time he won here over 2138 metres his heart rate was 80.”
Barnes plans to trial the Hustler again next Tuesday when he will step the horse up to 2138 metres, meaning he will need to contest a standing start.
But Barnes is determined to have the Hustler super fit for his resumption as the Listed event at Redcliffe is run over the longer 2613 metres.
Northview Hustler is under no pressure to clock 1:53.2 today.He will top off his Redcliffe preparation by bringing the horse to Albion Park on Sunday week for a fast 2400 metre training run.
“It was nice to blast him out today and see him run a quick quarter as we now know if we draw wide we can run the gate and put ourselves into the race.
“He’s had it easy for while now, going back and running home, but we all know how tough he is - he just needed a bit of a reminder.
“He’s just got to stand up now. He was still a little scratchy in behind today but the vet is coming tomorrow to work on him. It’s nothing major he’s just got to fix up some little niggles.
“He’s a bit hoppy gaited when he’s going slow so he’s pinching somewhere in the back end.”
While Hustler was big on the clock today Barnes wasn’t getting carried away with his easily accounting for Smart As Camm Be and Lilac Flash.
“They were just there for a quiet trail in their first start back from tendon injuries.”
While Barnes is keen for Northview Hustler to contest the Redcliffe Cup on June 27 he says that race is not the main target.
It’s for the last two of the three Albion Park features in July - the A$25,630 Mr Feelgood (2138m) on July 18 and A$25,630 Lucky Creed (2680m) a week later - when he will have the horse really firing.
More news in Harness
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
