Sorry, Hustler, but with a heart rate like that we’ve simply got to increase your workload
By Barry Lichter • 30 July 2020
Frustrated trainer Al Barnes has upped the workload of Northview Hustler after he punctured and pulled up with a high heart rate at Albion Park last week.
But, faced by three serious and in-form rivals in Cruz, Our Uncle Sam and Sydney newcomer Bright Energy, Barnes isn’t expecting the Hustler to test the judge on Saturday night.
Barnes couldn’t believe it when, despite finding his favourite pacemaking role in the Lucky Creed, the Hustler was under pressure turning for home and weakened to run 15.5 metres last.
“But his heart rate afterwards was 115, when it should have been down to about 80, so it seems like it’s his fitness that is not where it needs to be.
“That sounds strange after he’s had five races back now but we’ve been trying to do the right thing by him and have probably just been too kind to him.
“We’ve tried to look after his joints by not working him hard and he’s done too well. He’s eating too well and is bigger than he’s ever been.”
Starting this week, however, Barnes has started dishing it up to the horse, hoppling him on both Tuesday and Thursday, instead of just galloping him.
“He’s obviously got improvement to make fitness-wise but even though his runs look disappointing on paper, he’s not going badly on the clock. He’s obviously not at his best but they’re going so fast.”
Albion Park races are much faster now than when Northview Hustler won the Flashing Red last year. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Winner Kid Montana posted a mile rate of 1:56.5 in winning last week’s 2680 metre feature, compared with the Hustler’s 1:57.3 for the slightly shorter 2647 metres when he won the Flashing Red in his Australian debut in May, 2019.
Three starts back the Hustler recorded the second fastest closing sectionals in the Wondai’s Mate, sizzling home from the back in 53.63 and 25.98 and could run only eighth.
“When they’re running track record times and you’ve got to do it from behind you’ve got no chance.”
On Saturday night the Hustler is favoured with another front line draw but from five Barnes says he can’t see the horse being able to cross Maywyn’s Best inside him.
And he knows where the horse will finish if he’s forced to breeze on a 1:51 mile.
Cruz, winner of both the Wondai’s Mate and Mr Feelgood, is set to start a hot favourite but he should be seriously challenged by Our Uncle Sam and Bright Energy who boasts a 13 wins from 22 start record for Craig Cross.
Bright Energy, who is fresh, paced a 1:49.8 mile at Menangle in February and recently trialled there in 1:52.6.
Barnes is looking forward to the interstate horses going home but says he’ll just get the Hustler into the routine of consistent work and weekly racing.
“It’s frustrating but at least he’s sound and has no problems so we’ll keep trying.”
Northview Hustler races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
