Northview Hustler (Hayden Barnes) powers home in 55 to win at Tuesday’s Albion Park trials.
‘Leader Peter’ just the right man for the job on Northview Hustler on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 19 June 2020
Northview Hustler’s chances of winning at Albion Park on Saturday night should be decided in the first 400 metres.
From gate four, the Hustler will be making a strong bid for the front, the best tactics to beat Queensland star Colt Thirty One, who is on the second row, and last start winners Major Cam and Glenferrie Hood who have drawn the outside of the arm.
And trainer Al Barnes says, in the absence of his suspended son Hayden, he has just the right man in the cart to find the front in premiership leader Pete McMullen.
“He’s one of the best drivers over here, he’s very aggressive - they call him leader Peter,” says Barnes.
Pete McMullen … will gun out Northview Hustler.“There’s plenty of speed inside him and the one horse, Smooth Showgirl, has the speed to lead. But it might take a sit over 2138 metres so we’ll push on and see how we go.
“If we lead, we’ll be making the favourites earn it and he’ll become a live chance of winning.”
Barnes says the Hustler is plenty fit enough for his first-up run after three trial wins, running a slick 55 last half in the latest on Tuesday.
“There are no easy races for him now he’s in the top grade but he’ll run well. And after this race we’ll be ready for the upcoming features.”
The Hustler’s first test will come in the $25,630 Listed Redcliffe Gold Cup, over 2613 metres on Saturday week.
After that he has the A$20,830 Wondai’s Mate (1660m) on July 11, the A$25,630 Mr Feelgood (2138m) on July 18 and A$25,630 Lucky Creed (2680m) on July 25, all at Albion Park.
Northview Hustler will be having his first start since running second on March 14 after which Barnes sent him for scans to identify the cause of prolonged bleeding in his off front fetlock.
The horse’s last win came last September, when he mile-rated 1:54.3 over tomorrow night’s 2138 metres.
Northview Hustler races at 10.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
4.52pm
“She did a good job last week at Auckland. Throwing her in the deep end seems to have toughened her up a bit. She’s getting stronger all the time. This is a big drop in class and she’s a chance from a better gate (three).”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.20pm
“If the real Prince turned up he’d absolutely be hard to beat. If he leads, as he should do from two, he’s a different horse.”
Race 3: Major Copy
5.54pm
“Maurice just nursed him around on debut. He was stepping over tyre marks on the track so he didn’t want to launch him into the open too soon. We’ll put a shadow roll on him this time to stop that and I can see him going a lot better from the inside draw.”
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.54pm
“I’m not saying she can’t win but it will be hard for Fergie to find a good trip from the draw. She’ll need a lot of luck but she can be right in it if things go her way as she’s training well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Dealer
6.49pm
“He’s been a slow developing horse and you can’t drive him pretty, he won’t let you, as he’s a bit of a hot head. Maurice will launch him and see where he ends up.”
Race 5: Spirit Of God
6.49pm
“She got tired late last time and started hanging a bit (hitting a marker) but I thought she went OK. She did a bit early (from a wide draw) and was still there at the finish so she’s going to win a race. You never know with second line draws but it’s usually a decent impairment.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.40pm
“She never runs a bad race. She has a big motor for a little filly and should be right in the fray.”
Race 7: Angelic Copy
7.40pm
“Maurice said she foundered a bit when they took off, and got three or four lengths behind, but she didn’t lose any more ground after that and held her place. So the run wasn’t as bad as it looked and she’ll be improved.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.14pm
“It was a non-event last time (from a stand) and he’s a good horse who will be vying for the lead from five and deserves to be favourite.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.14pm
“Peter (Ferguson) said he didn’t feel as sharp last week as in the past so I’ve given him a little freshen-up with a light week and he should go better.”
