Trial improves Hustler but Al says he’s not ready to shoot down the Colt just yet

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.