What a ripper! Watch this heart-racing home stretch burst wide out by Northview Hustler
By Barry Lichter • 19 October 2020
Northview Hustler’s sizzling home stretch sprint at Albion Park on Saturday night raised his connections’ hopes for the upcoming Brisbane summer carnival.
The game seven-year-old turned in the best performance seen on the newly surfaced track when he came from last on the home turn, all but reeling in state champion Colt Thirty One with a withering late run for a close third.
His closing half and quarter were a full second faster than the winner’s and in making up 16 metres from the 800 he ran 54.79 and 26.37, easily the best in the race and on the night.
The run surprised even trainer Al Barnes who warned pre-race that the horse, resuming from a month’s break, would be driven quietly and go back from his wide draw.
Driver Hayden Barnes showed fine patience on the $21 outsider and did not move until turning for home, when he was forced four and five wide before unleashing his run.
Northview Hustler’s closing sectional times were super impressive.“You wouldn’t find better sectionals than those,” said Al Barnes.
“And I’m sure the softer track helped him run to his true ability.”
Times have been slower and horses have found it hard to make ground from the back since the track was recambered and topped but for an injury-plagued Hustler it’s been made to order.
“It helped him out of sight on Saturday - he didn’t jar up. But he still didn’t pull up the greatest. There’s still a bit of swelling in his fetlock.
“But I should be able to maintain him. I’ve got him on every joint supplement I can find. It’s costly but he’s shown he can still foot it with them and there’s some good racing coming up.”
Barnes is hoping the Hustler can now put together some good, consistent form in the six week run-up to the summer carnival.
The three races he is being aimed at are:
* The Group Three A$30,660 Be Good Johnny Sprint (1660m) on November 28
* The Group Two A$50,660 Queensland Cup (2138m) on December 5 and
* The Group One A$175,660 Blacks A Fake (2680m) on December 12.
“They’re not that far away. We’ll miss a week here and there but he should be right come the end of next month.”
Colt Thirty One, who sat in the death to win his 42nd race from 73 starts, clocked a mile rate of 1:54.4 for the 1660 metres, downing Justalittle Torque by 1.6 metres with half a head to Northview Hustler.
Northview Hustler, closest, flies late to run a close third to Colt Thirty One and Justalittle Torque.
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34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
