Trial improves Hustler but Al says he’s not ready to shoot down the Colt just yet
By Barry Lichter • 20 November 2020
Northview Hustler has improved with his trial but trainer Al Barnes has no illusions about beating state champ Colt Thirty One on Saturday night.
The Hustler resumes his interrupted preparation for the fast-closing summer features in the ninth race at Albion Park, badly drawn in six.
And while Barnes says he’s happy enough with the horse he knows it will take a couple of races before he is at his peak.
Barnes got the green light from his vet on Monday to press ahead with the Hustler after a foot abscess halted his preparation.
“We cut it out before he trialled and that’s why he was still a bit scratchy on it.
“He only sprinted for 200 metres but Hayden didn’t think he felt any good. But you’ve got to remember he’s short on fitness and his times were still good.”
Driven quietly in his 1660 metre heat between races last Thursday night, The Hustler was only allowed to run home up the home straight, closing to half a neck and five metres on all-the-way winner Blacksadance and Governor Jujon.
With the leaders pacing a mile rate of 1:54.7 and posting closing sectionals of 55.2 and 26.9, and Hustler going quicker, it wasn’t a bad effort.
“He’ll be much better for that run but what he does on Saturday, he’ll only improve on.”
Barnes said he couldn’t completely write off the Hustler despite his not having raced since October 24, when he pulled up sore.
“I didn’t think he’d go any good when he was first-up last time and he was brilliant and nearly ran down Colt Thirty One.
“But he’ll keep improving. He won’t be 100 percent for the first feature next Saturday, perhaps 90 percent, but he’ll be good enough to run on and be competitive.
“We’re looking to peak him for the big one on December 12.”
And after the carnival Barnes said the Hustler would be placed to give his owners a return and some fun, “without killing him.”
Hayden Barnes brings Larry Lincoln back after his fourth win on end on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Barnes isn’t worried by the fact that the impressive Larry Lincoln returns to racing over 2138 meres in the fifth race, despite his only two defeats in Queenlsand coming at the longer trip.
“The distance wasn’t the problem, it was the way we drove him,” Barnes said.
Since reverting to handling the horse much more quietly out of the gate, and using his speed late, Larry Lincoln has gone on to win four races on end, the latest on Tuesday when he ripped over the 1660 metres in a 1:54.9 mile rate.
Barnes isn’t overawed by the likely favourite Blacksadance having drawn the pole, one inside Larry.
“He’s first-up since July and we’ve got the form on the board.”
Stablemate Man Of Action, who weakened to fifth after leading on Tuesday, isn’t fancied from the outside of the second row.
“He’ll be out the back and we’ll drive him to get his confidence up then we’ll give him a little freshen-up. He’s dropped off in the coat a whisker.”
Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action race at 10.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Northview Hustler races at 12.15pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
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.”
