Just a walk in the Park for Hustler but bookies still screw down his odds for the big one
By Barry Lichter • 4 June 2019
Australian bookies reacted to Northview Hustler’s walk in the park at Albion Park today by elevating him to the third line of betting for next month’s A$200,660 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship.
The Hustler is now at $4.50 and better fancied than Brisbane’s top pacer Colt Thirty One for the July 20 feature, which most of the horse’s New Zealand owners look like attending.
Trainer Al Barnes couldn’t remember lining up an easier winner than The Hustler today who strolled round the track to win unextended by nearly 10 metres in a pedestrian mile rate of 1:57.3, more than four seconds slower than his sizzling rate of last week.
Donned in his new green Lincoln Farms strip, driver Hayden Barnes asked Northview Hustler to run from the outside of the gate and he quickly crossed his rivals to lead inside the first 200 metres.
Form there he was able to crawl through the opening quarter of the last mile in 32.1.
Barnes upped the tempo a little to run 29.7 and 29.1 for the next two quarters before letting the little black run home in a dazzling 26.5.
And the Hustler did it all on his own, Barnes sitting quiet throughout the run home, with only one small slap of the left rein, prompting race caller Chris Barsby to declare: “That was like trackwork and I dare say he didn’t break a sweat.’’
Hustler’s overall time for the 2138 metres was 2:35.8, all of 5.5 seconds slower than his last run.
Driver Hayden Barnes hasn’t moved a muscle as Hustler strides clear in little more than a training run.
“We’ve had some pretty easy wins back in the day but Hayden said that was pretty cruisy,” said Barnes. “He just let him slide up the straight and didn’t need to do any more.
“It’s nice to run time but you don’t want to bust the horse and if you can get an easy win, that’s good.’’
Barnes noted no opposition was offered when Hustler burned off the gate and says it would be nice if he got the same respect in the upcoming feature races.
“His recovery was very quick and that will give him some extra fitness and confidence.’’
The win took the five-year-old’s earnings to A$21,422 from his three wins in Brisbane for a season tally of $36,375.
Northview Hustler paid $1.03 on the Australian tote and $1.10 in New Zealand, bookies here offering only $1.04 at the jump.
His next assignment is the Group III A$31,400 Redcliffe Cup (2613m) on June 22.
Hustler is in cruise mode, nearly 10 metres clear.
Trojan too good in 1:55.5
Meanwhile, stablemate Trojan Banner began his run towards the derbies with a slick 1660 metre trial win over older horses in 1:55.5.
Trojan Banner wins today’s trial in 1:55.5.Driver Hayden Barnes allowed the colt to drop out to the rear of the field before making a fast run three wide down the back straight to race in the breeze.
He claimed the leader before the home turn and finished strongly to score by 2.3 metres over 13-race winner Our Millwood Maizie.
“He won pretty comfortably but was hanging a little bit so we have some work to so,’’ says Al Barnes.
Trojan Banner is unbeaten in five starts in Brisbane.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
