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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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.45pm
“He’s always had ability, he’s just needed to be inspired. But he’s starting to get the idea and it’s not a big field this week. He’s getting money every week and is an each-way chance again.”
Race 5: Jessie Lincoln
7.11pm
“She got home better than anything last week and that was her first run for a while so you’d expect she’ll improve on that.”
Race 5: Omaha Lincoln
7.11pm
“He put in a couple of steps last week, reaching for his hopples. But we’ve pulled his gear up a bit tighter and hopefully that will fix that. You could argue he’s the best horse in the race but I wouldn’t say he stands over them as he’s still very green, and has a lot to learn, and that might hold him up a little bit. But he’s certainly a good winning chance.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“I thought he went pretty well first-up. He did a lot of work early and should improve with the run.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.37pm
“You can’t condemn her on last week’s run (when she broke) but this is a very strong race.”
