Trainer Al Barnes with driver son Hayden after winning the Flashing Red with Northview Hustler last May. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Hustler gets better draw but he’s still not 100% so don’t expect too much on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 6 March 2020
Saturday night’s race at Albion Park won’t be easy for Northview Hustler who is still on the mend after his aborted trip to New South Wales.
Trainer Al Barnes made the decision to bring the horse home after he first had infections blow out of his heels on the morning of his first race then he missed out on getting a start the following week.
And while he says the Hustler missed only one fast training session in Sydney and has been working solidly since returning home nine days ago, his feet are still not 100 percent.
“His feet are still growing out and are a bit sensitive but 90 percent of horses have sore feet. He got new shoes on today but he hasn’t trialled so we don’t know where he’s at fitness wise.”
Barnes says even though Hustler has drawn three, his best alley in three starts since resuming, he is surrounded by horses with high gate speed, Smooth Showgirl, Sams The Master and Glenferrie Hood all gate flyers.
“I don’t know where he’ll end up. We’ll be aggressive, go forward and have a crack because we know he can do it tough, but it’s going to be a fast-run mile.
“We’d like to be in front but I don’t know if they’ll give us that respect with his form.”
Despite all that Barnes says he’s hoping to see something from the Hustler with some decent races coming up for him in the next six weeks.
“But whatever he does tomorrow night he’ll improve on.”
Northview Hustler races at 10.41pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
