The undoubted highlight for Northview Hustler’s owners was his Spring Cup win in September. PHOTO: Race Images
Hustler out but he’ll come back bigger and better - as a gelding
By Barry Lichter • 20 December 2018
Northview Hustler is out of the Auckland Cup and into the paddock.
Trainer Ray Green made the decision to scratch the horse from his lead-up race at Auckland on Friday night after a substandard training session this morning.
And given Hustler is very light in condition, he will have three to four weeks off, during which time he will also be gelded.
Green says the five-year-old will stand a better chance of gaining weight if he is not a stallion, doing what stallions do, expending unnecessary energy both on and off the track.
Even before his work this morning Green relayed he was not happy with the horse who did not look himself even in his preliminary last week.
“He’s been training OK but he’s not the horse he can be. He’s as light as I’ve ever seen him.”
While it is a disappointing end to the campaign, Hustler’s owners missing out on a second cup run after his New Zealand Cup campaign was aborted, he still bagged the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park, beating Star Galleria, showing he had a future in the open ranks.
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Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
