Uh oh, things just got tougher for the Hustler - but at least he can dictate from the ace

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.