Shades of Bling It On as Hustler smokes them in a dazzling 1:53.1 mile rate at Albion Park

Race caller Chris Barsby labelled Northview Hustler as the new flag bearer for Queensland’s open class features after he annihilated his opposition in supersonic time at Albion Park tonight.

And so impressive was the Lincoln Farms’ owned pacer that even trainer Al Barnes was almost lost for words as the little five-year-old careered away to a 16 metre win in a mile rate of 1:53.1 for the 2138 metres.

“I don’t know of anything else up here that can run those sort of times,” says Barnes. “When they run a 35.8 lead time up here they don’t normally get home - that’s break your heart speed.

“To do that and still get home in 55.9 and 27.1 is unbelieveable, crazy stuff. That was an amazing win and he looked like he did it easily. Hayden didn’t even turn the stick.’’

To get an idea of just how fast Hustler paced, you only have to compare it with the 1:54 mile rate that Brisbane top dog Colt Thirty One clocked last Saturday night in winning the open class race at Albion Park on a slow lead time of 37.8.

And Hustler was only seven tenths of a second outside the track record set in 2015 by superstar Bling It On, who won 45 races and $1.65 million.

Barnes, who had commitments at home, watched the race with his partner Cassie and feared that his son had done too much work for Hustler to be able to sustain his run.

Hustler looked to be in trouble from the outset when Hayden was forced to drop to second last early while, as Barsby described it, “a mad burn to the first turn’’ was on with four horses across the track pouring it on.

Northview Hustler and Hayden Barnes career away from Fame Assured to score by 16 metres at Albion Park tonight.But Barnes moved at precisely the right time when the pace eased to a 30.1 second quarter, working up three wide, only to have Madi Dux on the parked Pinup Boy kick up to try to hold him there.

“They weren’t going to let him go,’’ says Barnes. “It was only Hustler’s ability and speed that saw him get round to the top.’’

Despite having to open the throttle, Hayden still managed to get Hustler to come back to him after taking the lead at the 1300m. And when Grant Dixon took off on warm second favourite Fame Assured at the 800m, Hayden threw in a 28.8 third quarter which had the filly throwing out distress signals turning for home.

“Northview Hustler’s opened up at the top of the lane and bounded away,’’ called Barsby as the Kiwi unleashed a 27.1 last 400.

Barsby: “He’s brained them and again run very good time.’’

Barnes, who is now two from two with Hustler, says he’s waking up these days and pinching himself. “You just don’t get horses like this.

“Fingers crossed we can keep him ticking along and get to the Blacks A Fake in top order.

“But next up is the Redcliffe Cup (June 22) and some time between now and then we’ll trial at Redcliffe to see if he handles the track. It’s a tricky track and some horses don’t like it.’’

Barnes says he will bypass the Redcliffe Derby wth Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Trojan Banner, who is five from five since arriving in Brisbane, because he doubts he will handle the turns.

Barnes is likely to line up Hustler next in another country grade c6-c9 event, when he’s certain to touch a short price.

The horse paid a respectable $1.90 on the New Zealand tote and $2.15 in Australia tonight.

Barnes is hoping for another good week with Lincoln’s Girl drawn nicely in four in the Pot Of Gold Final on Friday night and dazzling last start winner Vasari landing the pole on Saturday night.