Hustler brave sitting parked in New Zealand record Flying Stakes
By Barry Lichter • 22 October 2018
The run of the race conspired to beat Northview Hustler in today’s Ashburton Flying Stakes and given how fast the race was run trainer Ray Green couldn’t find a bad word to say about Lincoln Farms’ NZ Cup candidate.
The record book will show Northview Hustler beat only two home but with the All Stars’ mare Dream About Me setting a New Zealand record pace and Hustler forced to breeze all the way, it said plenty for his courage that he finished only 5.9 lengths from winner Eamon Maguire who enjoyed a perfect trail.
The 2400 metre stand was cut out in 2:54.2, one tenth of a second faster than the previous national mark held by champion pacer Lazarus.
Incredibly it was two seconds faster than Lazarus took in winning the Flying Stakes last year, and the closing sectionals were an amazing 54.2 and 26.4.
It was only in the last 100 metres that Star Galleria (fourth) and Ultimate Machete (fifth) ran past Northview Hustler who kept trying right to the line for driver Andre Poutama.
“He wasn’t going to run past anybody going that time, was he,’’ says Green.
“I thought he went not too bad considering. He wasn’t that far away at the finish and he beat a couple who had good trips (A G’s White Socks and Letspendanitetogetha).
“For a few seconds there I thought he might even hang on for a cheque.
“The good thing was he looked good and he seemed to pull up good.
“We’ll give it a couple of days and see how he comes out of it before we decide on our next move.
“We’ll take a blood off him to eliminate the guess work and check there’s nothing wrong but I wouldn’t be expecting anything to show up.’’
From a New Zealand Cup point of view, nothing should change in the rankings for Hustler - all the horses who beat him home are already higher in the qualifying order.
He sits on 16th, one place shy of gaining a start.
More news in Harness
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Sharpe Stride, Marylynes Boy, Omaha Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Colonel Lincoln, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Leo Lincoln, Prince Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
