Hustler roars home in quiet trial and shows he’s nearly ready to rumble again
By Barry Lichter • 14 January 2020
Northview Hustler showed he had lost none of his ability when he ripped home a fast last quarter in an Albion Park trial yesterday.
And the horse is doing so well in his new preparation, trainer Al Barnes has him on target to resume racing on February 1.
Having his first strong hitout since injuring a tendon when winning his last start in September, the Hustler was allowed to trundle along at the rear of the six-horse field.
Driver Hayden Barnes didn’t pull out until late in the straight and the six-year-old exploded home for fifth, only 7.8 metres from winner Invincible Loxton.
Northview Husler is travelling comfortably at the line.“Hayden said he felt super. He would have run home in a very low 26 and did it within himself.
“I was happy the young fella (Angus Gerrard) led and only went steadily, as 1:57.7 was a good mile time for him to go first-up, rather than 1:53.”
Barnes reported Hustler’s heart rate was 91, indicating he had done a good bit of work in the trial which turned into only a scoot home.
“He’s pretty well ready to go now but he’ll have another, slightly more serious trial next Tuesday, then should be ready to race 11 days later.”
Barnes says Hustler’s leg is looking perfect and he’s as big as he’s seen him.
Hayden Barnes, widest, opens the throttle a little on Northview Hustler close to home in his trial at Albion Park on Tuesday.“He’s huge, with a big bum and great top. He’s just got a few niggly muscles over his back end but I’ll get my muscle man on to that.”
Barnes did a sterling job with Northview Hustler last year, with four wins from 14 starts and A$53,100 in stakes, and showed he was up to the best in the state with unlucky Group I runs in both the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake last July.
Newcomer Super Easy was given an unofficial educational trial yesterday and showed he still had plenty to learn.
The unraced Art Major three-year-old paced a slow mile in about 2:07 and did a bit wrong, says Barnes.
“They went very slow then sprinted and he didn’t like that, he didn’t handle the transition from walking to sprinting.
“I’ll put him in an official trial next Tuesday where they’ll go quicker. He’s better rolling even quarters.”
Cover Boy Pretty and Joey Lincoln will have their first educational trials next week.
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Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
