Hustler drawn to lead again and there’s no Ashley Locaz to savage him this time
By Barry Lichter • 11 September 2020
Northview Hustler couldn’t cope with being savaged in the lead last week but trainer Al Barnes believes he can bounce back on Saturday night.
The Hustler was well fancied to repeat his win of the previous week when he took on Ashley Locaz but the former All Stars runner sat in the breeze and continually served it up to him, seeing the Kiwi puncture early in the run home.
“Ashley Locaz found us out last week with a fast lead time and four fast quarters (28.7, 28.9, 28 and 27.8).
“Hustler’s not used to racing in that pattern and it told on his fitness.
“We got it easy the week before but the tough run found us out.”
Whereas the Hustler clocked a sedate 1:54.9 mile rate for 1660 metres the previous week, Ashley Local clocked a rate of 1:54.1 for the longer 2138 metres.
“He doesn’t seem to like racing as tough as he used to. He’s more a high speed horse than a stayer now.”
Northview Hustler had it easy in front when he won two starts back. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Barnes says in hindsight his son Hayden believes he should have handed up the lead but no doubt the fact he downed the same horse, who again sat parked, the previous week played in his mind.
“But he’s pulled up better for the run. When you’re racing at these speeds your fitness has to be spot on.”
The Hustler was also not the horse he used to be, said Barnes, with niggling injuries continuing to plague him.
“He’ll carry the injuries all his life but it’s just a question of maintenance. He’s on every kind of joint supplement possible and I’ll be taking him back to the university on Monday to get his fetlock injected again.
“But he’s still a good bread and butter horse for his owners - he earned A$12,500 last month.”
From gate two on Saturday night Barnes expects the Hustler to have no trouble crossing pole runner Scoob Operator.
And with no Ashley Locaz to contend with this time, he hopes he won’t get so much attention in the lead.
Queensland champion Colt Thirty One is a worthy newcomer but, from the outside of the gate, Barnes doesn’t expect trainer-driver Grant Dixon to crucify him first up, when he hasn’t raced since July and hasn’t trialled.
Northview Hustler races at 9.13pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
