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.
More news in Harness
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Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
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.”
