Hustler still agonisingly close to NZ Cup start - with no sign of defectors
By Barry Lichter • 25 October 2018
Northview Hustler still sits agonisingly close to a New Zealand Cup start after the latest rankings were released today.
Hustler stays at 16th in the entry order for the 15-horse feature on November 13, the only real mover in the last week being Eamon Maguire who jumped to eighth after his win in the Flying Stakes at Ashburton last Monday.
Hustler’s chances of getting a defection diminished slightly yesterday when the cloud hanging over the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained Thefixer lifted slightly at the Rangiora trials.
Back early, Thefixer looped the field to lead the 2600 metre heat for Rasmussen and was collared only late by stablemate Cruz Bromac and Purdon. With only half a neck between them they clocked 3:25.3 for the trip, home in fast sectionals of 56.5 and 26.2.
Thefixer had missed crucial work, and been confined to a water walker, after getting an abscess in a front foot.
A G’s White Socks battles Dream About Me, inner, in last month’s Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.Hustler fans might also be off in pinning their hopes on A G’s White Socks not starting in the cup despite the fact the horse tailed the field all the way at Ashburton and beat only one home.
A G’s White Socks’ driver Ricky May says the horse felt good and was simply the victim of a poor start and very fast run-race.
“I thought he felt 100% sound which he wasn’t the week before.” Taken off the track after his preliminary to the Methven Cup, trainer Greg Hope found the horse had a sore back and treated his sacroiliac.
“I think he slipped over on some concrete at home before he came to the track. Greg had worked him that morning and he was as good as gold.”
A G’s White Socks, who broke at the start then came widest on the home bend in the Flying Stakes, had no chance of making ground, says May, with the final 400 metres cut out in 26.4.
May says A G’s White Socks goes best when fresh and may not appear again, the cup trial at Addington a likely final target.
Captain Dolmio … has solid 3200 metre form but not quite on his game.Captain Dolmio grinning and bearing it
Meanwhile, 15th-ranked Captain Dolmio is still New Zealand Cup-bound despite two sub par efforts in recent weeks.
Trainer Robert Dunn says the horse has had a couple of issues and hasn’t been pacing so well since he got down on his bumpers really badly one night.
“He also didn’t handle the wet track at Addington (in the Canterbury Classic) when it was very loose on the inside.
“But he’s not pacing as well as he can and almost galloped round the home turn on Monday.”
Captain Dolmio, second to Heaven Rocks in the Easter Cup (3200m) at Addington in April, finished one place ahead of Hustler at Ashburton.
The next vital cup lead-up is Monday’s $50,000 Kaikoura Cup when three horses will be out to leapfrog Hustler in the rankings - Locharburn (19th), Billy Badger (20th) and Raukapuka Ruler (21st).
But they will have to contend with safe cup runners Star Galleria, Methven Cup winner Cruz Bromac, Eamon Maguire and No Doctor Needed.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
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.”
