Larry Lincoln … created a big impression with this first-up win at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Larry solid chance but Hustler will need the run as he prepares for summer carnival
By Barry Lichter • 16 October 2020
Larry Lincoln looks a solid top three chance at Albion Park tonight but don’t expect Northview Hustler to feature on Saturday night, says trainer Al Barnes.
Larry Lincoln starts from gate three in the sixth race tonight, the same alley from where he ended up parked 10 days ago, when he weakened to sixth.
And that’s why Barnes says he can’t be too confident of the horse winning.
“I just don’t know how the race will pan out. There are a couple of handy ones inside us so he might get parked again.
“But he will be better for his last run. Hayden said the horse’s fitness gave way - his heart rate afterwards was 115.
“It had been three weeks between runs (while the track was being resurfaced) so he wasn’t as hard as we would have liked.”
In his first start in the state, Larry Lincoln scored a terrific win, doing plenty of work in the running and rating 1:55 for the 1660 metres.
“We’re still learning what we can and can’t do with him but he’ll be competitive tonight and should run top three.
“He’ll get better when we can race him consistently every Tuesday or Friday.”
Hustler will need the run
Northview Hustler resumes from a month’s break in the seventh race on Saturday night, where against state champion Colt Thirty One his six draw is certain to take him out of play.
“He’ll definitely need the hitout,” says Barnes.
“We were going to trial him but we thought he might as well race as they go the same time in a trial, if not faster.
“He’s in good condition but it will take a couple of runs before he gets back to his best.”
Al Barnes … “we’ll do the right thing by the horse.”Because the Hustler has bad joints - one fetlock in particular - Barnes says the horse has to race into full fitness.
“We just can’t work him as hard as we’d like, especially on our small track, so he’s always going to be a run short after a break.”
Barnes eased up on the horse a month ago when he started to get a few niggles racing on the very hard Albion Park surface. The spell was deliberately timed to coincide with renovation work to the track which was recambered and retopped.
“The softer track now will be good for him but not on Saturday night - that six draw is a killer.
“We either gut him trying to cross them, and be found wanting at the finish, or go back and do the right thing by the horse and look after him.
“He’ll be right by the time the summer carnival starts.”
Larry Lincoln races at 10.48pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.
Northview Hustler races at 11.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
4.59pm
“He’s racing well and I can’t fault him. The opposition is stronger this time but I can’t see why he won’t go another good race.”
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
5.59pm
“She’s a good, tough mare. It depends on the trip you get in these sort of races but she loves it when they run hard and she can get some of the money.”
Race 3: Ultimate Cullect
5.59pm
“We haven’t had a lot of time to assess her yet. From the one drive I’ve had on her she doesn’t strike me as a sit-sprinter. But if they go hard, hopefully she’ll get home well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.57pm
“It’s a “brutal” race but she’s drawn to get a suck along and hopefully she can last well enough for a cheque.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.29pm
“There are a few in there that are better than him but he has a handicap advantage and, if he gets a good trip, he could get some of it. He steps well and his driver reckoned he would have won last week if he’d got the run at the right time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.23pm
“I can’t imagine him being beaten - they’d have to knock him over. He’s very fast and in case he has to move quickly early we’ll use the shorteners. I can’t see any problem with him going left-handed - he’s probably better that way.”
Race 11: Rivergirl Bella
9.54pm
“She’s honest and will try hard.”
