Queensland champion Colt Thirty One claims Northview Hustler late at Albion Park tonight.
Northview Hustler runs out of ammo close to the line - Colt Thirty One pops him in thriller
By Barry Lichter • 20 June 2020
Trainer Al Barnes is looking forward to the next few weeks with Northview Hustler after the game little black pushed Queensland star Colt Thirty One to a long neck in his first start for more than three months at Albion Park tonight.
The Hustler easily found the lead for stand-in driver Pete McMullen and looked to have the hot favourite in trouble turning for home when he shot clear.
But Grant Dixon’s headliner, who was parked from the bell, rallied bravely up the markers to nail the Hustler late, with McMullen reporting the Lincoln Farms horse just peaked on his run.
“But that was to be expected in his first run back,” said Barnes. “He ran home in 54.6 and it took Colt Thirty One to beat him so it was an awesome run.”
Barnes is excited about the amount of improvement still in the Hustler as immediately after the race his heart rate was high at 108.
“When he’s spot on it’s 80 to 85 and drops to the high 60s after 10 minutes. So that’s a very good sign.
Al Barnes … Northview Hustler has so much improvement left in him.“He’ll keep improving and I’d say it will take three runs before he hits his peak.”
Providing the Hustler pulls up well and eats, Barnes will take him to Redcliffe next Saturday night for the A$25,630 Gold Cup, a standing start test over 2613 metres, which will suit him even more than tonight’s 2138 metres.
“If I’m not happy with him this week we can bypass Redcliffe but I think he’ll be right.”
Barnes said he wasn’t surprised the Hustler showed so much gate speed tonight.
“We’ve always known he had gate speed but we’ve seldom had the opportunity to use it from bad draws.”
Barnes noticed that whereas the Hustler is usually very placid before his races, tonight he was very playful, indicating he was a happy horse.
“Pete was rapt with his effort and the horse pulled up great.
“He’ll have a pretty easy week. I’ll give him a quiet hitout on Wednesday and he should be spot on.”
Colt Thirty One, who has now won 37 of his 64 starts for more than A$850,000, clocked 2:31.8 for the 2138 metres, a mile rate of 1:54.2, exactly the same time Northview Hustler clocked in winning his last race last September.
Third-placed Subtle Delight was 4 metres behind the Hustler in third.
Northview Hustler returned great odds on the New Zealand tote, paying $3.30 for a place, a great return for his loyal Kiwi owners who include the Waikato’s Four Legs syndicate, whose main man Carl Officer was celebrating his birthday.
Pete McMullen blasts Northview Hustler out of the gate to claim an early lead. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
