Watch the Hustler’s Redcliffe Cup run through Hayden’s eyes and see just how brave he was
By Barry Lichter • 30 June 2020
Owners can’t share the sulky with their driver in a race but the next best thing is to see how their horse performed through the driver’s eyes.
And what better race to enjoy that vision than last Saturday night’s Redcliffe Gold Cup when in a thrilling finish Northview Hustler was pipped in the last stride.
In the video above, Lincoln Farms and its partners can watch Hayden Barnes’ every move on the Hustler, thanks to Racing Queensland and Panasonic Studio Productions which hooked him up with a camera.
In the description that follows Barnes takes us through the race from the moment the tapes released:
“My first plan was to get inside the No.1 horse. It was having its first standing start and in its trials it had stood flat-footed. I thought if I stepped fast enough I could get inside it, but it stood there, then jumped left and got in my way again.
“Once I got around it, Hustler went really quickly and we slotted into the running line.
Driver Hayden Barnes with his trainer dad Al.“I was waiting for them to back off just enough so I could get going (around them) but they just kept running (at track record pace).
“I wanted to be the first horse three wide because last year in the same race I left it too late and they came out in front of me and got in my way.
“When I took off (three wide at the 900) on Saturday he cruised his way up there and was really travelling. And when I took over before the turn I thought he’d bolt in.
“I could feel him getting tired halfway down but when he saw the other horse (Sole Ambition) coming he pricked his ears and dug in even more.
“You don’t get to drive horses who try that hard too often but he just ran out of condition that last little bit and I could feel him pulling up.
“I hate getting beaten on the line like that and maybe I should have sat up for 50 metres before I let him go.
“But the really good thing is he’s still got a lot of improvement in him. His heart rate when we first took it after the race was 97 and after he was swabbed it only came down to 94 which shows how much fitness he still has to go.
“Quite a few people have said to me he’s come back a different horse this time and the way he’s racing you have to agree.
“I know his next race (the Wondai’s Mate on July 11) is only over a mile but, if he draws well, he’ll be in with a good shot.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
