Northview Hustler, outer, has come to the end of his run and is pipped by Leos Best last Saturday night.
Watch Hustler stretch out more freely this week - Leo will have to do more than his best
By Barry Lichter • 22 August 2019
Fitter than last week, a little sounder and with a perfect trailing draw, Northview Hustler looks the one to beat at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The Hustler meets the same sort of field as he tackled last Saturday, when he ran out of condition late and was pipped a nose by Leos Best in his first start since the Blacks A Fake Championship in July.
And trainer Al Barnes says his second row draw should be a boon as the pole runner Chantrey is the likely leader.
“It’s only an eight horse field and he should get a great trip behind the leader.
“It was only (lack of) fitness that got him last week but he should be winning this week.”
Barnes says the Hustler should also pace better on Saturday night.
‘If you watch the replay of last week’s race he paced a bit ordinary up the home straight and his head was bobbing up and down like a galloper in the last 100 metres.
“He’s a bit soft in his soles and one foot’s been a bit sore. It’s nothing major but it kept him from striding out last week.”
Barnes says he races Northview Hustler in bonded aluminium shoes anyway to reduce the concussion but the work he has done this week should improve the horse further.
“It might take him a run to get his confidence back but within the next fortnight I’ll have him right.”
Northview Hustler is a $2.50 early favourite for Saturday night with Leos Best, who nosed him out last week, second pick at $3.50 and Chantrey next at $8.
Northview Hustler races at 9.40pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
