
Driver Hayden Barnes, with Trojan Banner, tries out Lincoln Farms’ new colours which will be seen out for the first time on Tuesday.
It’s green for go! Hayden models the new silks which he’ll wear behind Hustler on Tuesday
Trainer Al Barnes is stoked that Northview Hustler will be the first horse to carry the new silks he’s designed for his Lincoln Farms team at Albion Park on Tuesday.
What better occasion to unveil the new green strip with white Lincoln Farms’ logo than behind the horse he hopes can make a big impact at the looming Brisbane winter carnival.
It’s hard to make a case for anything to beat the Hustler in the opening race on the card, a c5 to c8 race over 2138 metres.
With a metropolitan grading of M4, he meets a small field of six M0s and, despite starting from the outside of the gate, he will be a raging hot favourite to maintain his unbeaten record in Brisbane.
Hayden Barnes is sitting quietly as Northview Hustler clocks a brilliant 1:53.1 mile rate last Tuesday.Barnes reports the Hustler has bounced out of his incredible winning run last Tuesday when he careered away by 16 metres to clock a rare mile rate of 1:53.1 for the 2138 metres.
“He’s super, bright as a button,” says Barnes.
“This is not a hard race for him. Hayden will punch out and if they show him some respect he’ll lead. If not, he’ll sit quietly in the chair and I don’t think that would worry him too much.’’
Hustler’s task was made all the easier today with the scratching of the free-running Pinup Boy who was drawn to contest the early lead.
And Barnes can’t see New South Wales pacer Vettel troubling Hustler in his first run in the state.
“He could be a pest and lead. He’s not a danger of beating us but he might get in the way.’’
Vettel has a fastest mile time of 1:51.5 and scored all the way at Menangle three starts ago in 1:53.
Hustler’s 1:53.1 is easily the fastest mile rate for Tuesday’s distance range, the next best being Vettel’s 1:55.8.
Tuesday’s race will be the last for Northview Hustler until June 22 when he contests the A$31,400 Redcliffe Cup but Barnes is likely to trial the horse there next week to make sure he can handle the tight triangular shaped circuit.
Also headed to the trials, at Albion Park on Tuesday, is Trojan Banner who is unbeaten in five Queensland starts for Lincoln Farms.
Barnes gave Trojan Banner a freshener after his last win on April 23 so as to time his run at the A$100,000 Queensland Derby on July 20.
“He’s come up good as gold but he’ll need the run tomorrow.
‘He’s still not steering that great - he’s a bit tight in the muscles in his neck and across his rump - but he’ll have acupuncture in the next few days.’’
Northview Hustler races at 3.56pm NZ time on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Davine snaps up fleet-footed Debbie Lincoln but you can still follow her in Queensland
It’s Christmas-New Year Bliss for Phillips but just who has his mare fallen in love with?
Prince set to sign off 2025 in style but Ray tips out two specials to follow in the New Year
Spiritual Bliss notches hat-trick and pushes Lincoln Farms’ season tally to record 43
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”

