Northview Hustler rolling along in the lead in today’s Pukekohe workout.
Hustler’s friends gather for his farewell spin at Pukekohe - and he didn’t disappoint
By Barry Lichter • 27 April 2019
It was almost as if Hustler knew something was up.
Perhaps it was the sight of long time stable worker Phil Satler being there, leaning on his broom, and reminiscing about the habits of one of Lincoln Farms’ favourite horses.
Or maybe it was the unfamiliar presence of sweepers Leigh Argue and Crystal Delaney lining the fence to watch his final workout at Pukekohe. Part owner Shannon Flay was there too, even more generous than usual with her pats.
Whatever it was that sparked up Northview Hustler in his last run before moving to Queensland proved effective, as the little black pinged straight to the front for stable junior Andrew Drake, showing a stack more verve than in his two previous workouts this prep.
Setting up a commanding lead, Hustler kept running and, showing no signs of flinching, he romped to the line to easily beat the well performed Triple Eight, Double Rocket and No Doctor Needed.
Clocking a good time of 3:12.1 for the 2500 metres, Hustler ripped home in a slick 57.1 and 26.3, as if to remind his friends that he could still get the job done.
Hustler stops to look out over Lincoln Farms which he will farewell next week.And afterwards, as trainer Ray Green helped ungear the little soldier for the last time, for the next few months anyway, he showed his soft side:
“He’s a dear little man. If you had to choose a horse to go out on, he’d be it. He’s just so professional and reliable - he just goes in and gets the wages.’’
Satler, who lives at Lincoln Farms and knows the animals in the barn as well as his cats, has seen a lot of Hustler in the last few months, his job of feeding the team allowing him to get closer than most.
And there have been many a night in the last few months when he’s had to encourage Hustler to eat, after he got so thin Green was forced to geld him.
“He’s a fussy easter,’’ says Satler. “He picks out all the fibre nuts we put in his feed and throws them on the floor.
“But he’s a lovely horse and was very cuddly this morning.
“There are a few troublemakers in the barn but he’s never put a foot wrong since he’s been here.’’
Green would love to keep Hustler at his Pukekohe stable, especially after all the hours that he’s put into the horse during his comeback. Only a couple of weeks ago he predicted this would be the horse’s best year.
“I’ll be sorry to see him go but you’ve got to do what’s right for him and his future here is pretty bleak.’’
Green turns dark when he seizes on the reason for Hustler having to go to Australia - a flawed handicapping system which sees horses elevated so quickly in the ratings they quickly become uncompetitive and are sold overseas.
“They’ll eventually come to terms with it, but by then it will be too late.’’
More news in Harness
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
