Uh oh, things just got tougher for the Hustler - but at least he can dictate from the ace
By Barry Lichter • 28 August 2020
The opposition just went up another rung with former All Stars’ speedster Ashley Locaz in the field but trainer Al Barnes says Northview Hustler can still get a cheque at Albion Park on Saturday night.
As if taking on Bright Energy, Kid Montana and Our Uncle Sam wasn’t enough, the Hustler now faces a reinvigorated Ashley Locaz who has won two recent 1660 metre trials for Vicki Rasmussen, the latest in a sharp 1:52.4 mile rate.
“The fields are definitely stronger than they were 12 months ago, with the interstate visitors, but we’ll still be competitive,” says Barnes.
“He’s up to them. He features consistently among the top three sectionals. He just needs some luck and he’s drawn to make his own luck on Saturday night.”
Northview Hustler will roll out from the pole and, while Barnes says he doesn’t have to be in front, “I prefer him there, doing his own thing.
“But it’s hard to know what will happen at the start. Bright Energy has brilliant gate speed and he could cross us all if he wanted to, even from seven.
“There are four in there who can win. Ashley Locaz will be hard to roll but it will just depend on what happens in the running.”
Ashley Locaz, nearest camera, leads home an All Stars’ trifecta in the Two-year-old Emerald at Ashburton, downing The Devils Own and Spankem. PHOTO: Race Images.Ashley Locaz, winner of 10 of his 38 starts, already boasts a 1:50.1 mile win at Menangle and a close runner-up slot to Poster Boy in his 1:49.1 Chariots Of Fire triumph.
“We should comfortably run a 1:52 mile, or quicker, but that will also give Kid Montana the chance to peel off our back and beat us.”
Barnes says the Hustler has responded well to a week off racing.
While the horse raced very well last start, coming from the back row for a late closing third to Fame Assured and Bright Energy, Barnes says he was starting to feel his nearside fetlock joint again.
“He usually lasts a month and then we have to work on him again.”
Barnes injected the Hustler two days after his race, only jogging him for the rest of the week to let his joints settle down before resuming fast work this week.
The previous time he treated the horse he made the mistake of rushing him back into racing the following week, and the Hustler was well underdone after having no fast work.
“But he seems very sharp at home this time, he’s had a better preparation, and I’m sure he’ll race as honestly as he usually does.”
Barnes says its not surprising the fields are so strong in Queensland, which is offering the best prizemoney, and the most racing, in Australia at the moment.
Reinforcements
And, while he will welcome two new reinforcements from Lincoln Farms on Monday in the form of Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln, Barnes says they will need to be on their game.
The All Stars’ Amazing Dream was going to be a real force in the three-year-old races after debuting in the state last week with a 1:52.3 mile, when flashing late to be pipped only half a neck.
And earlier this week Copy That’s Sires’ Stakes Final nemesis One Change opened his Brisbane account with a strong 1:55.2 mile rate win over 2138 metres.
Northview Hustler races at 9.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
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.”
