Hustler nabbed in the shadows but Al says they’ll know he’s alive in the next two weeks
By Barry Lichter • 8 August 2020
Trainer Al Barnes is predicting big things from Northview Hustler after he was collared only in the last few strides at Albion Park in Brisbane tonight.
“They’ll really know he’s alive in the next few weeks,” said Barnes after the Hustler ($10) and son Hayden Barnes were denied a pillar-to-post win by Subtle Delight who pounced from the trail to score by a head.
“Hayden said he was bolting on the turn but he’s still running out of condition a little up the straight.
“But he’s pulling up better each time. His heart rate was 102 afterwards however he recovered a lot quicker.”
Barnes says he’s sure the horse will earn back all his respect in the next two weeks.
“He’d lost their respect but he’s back now and nothing had a shot at us out of the gate tonight.
“And because he didn’t have to burn, and was able to set a slow lead time of 39.1, it definitely helped him get a cheque.”
The Hustler threw in a brutal 27.8 second quarter and, despite being drilled down the back straight by hot favourite Cruz who whistled round to the death, he had plenty left in the tank.
“I thought he did well to run home in 27.3 after that and it’s no disgrace being beaten by Subtle Delight. He’s really stepped up and has been flying over the carnival.”
Cruz, winner of his last three on end, was under pressure turning for home and dropped away to finish fifth.
“I’ve always said Hustler is the second best horse in Queensland behind Colt Thirty One and can beat him with the right run. He just hasn’t had the opportunity since his first-up run when he wasn’t fit enough (and ran second).
“But he’s in a good routine now and he was as bright as a button half an hour after the race.
“Normally you’d say he wouldn’t handle so much racing week after week but he’s just such a different horse now, so bulky, and he’ll go home tonight and clean out his bin.”
The winner ran the 2138 metres in 2:34.2, a mile rate of 1:56, closing in 55.4 and 27.3.
Subtle Delight races up the sprint lane to collar Northview Hustler a head, with 3.2 metres to Fame Assured in third. Hot favourite Cruz weakened to fifth.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
