Yikes, Hustler’s got his hands full here as Sydney flyers invade Brisbane for the sprint
Lincoln Farms’ Northview Hustler passed the first hurdle and made the field for Saturday night’s A$100,000 Sunshine Sprint (1660m) at Albion Park in Brisbane.
But from three on the second row he’s going to need everything going for him in Queensland’s feature winter sprint with several in-form flyers making the trek north from New South Wales.
The barrier draw, done live at a special ceremony at 11.30am NZ time today, swung the way of the state’s top pacer Colt Thirty One who will start from two.
But it was cruel for the Hustler - with only two marbles left to draw he was looking at the perfect three or the second row 10.
The interstate raiders had mixed fortunes:
- Majordan, recent winner of the Len Smith Mile at Menangle in 1:49.6, is two on the second line.
- Len Smith runner-up Our Uncle Sam, who won the Group I Bohemia Crystal (2400m) at Menangle in March in a blistering 1:52.3 rate, is beautifully placed in three.
- Ex Kiwi Letspendanitetogetha, recent winner of the Golden Mile in 1:51.9 has the job ahead of him from the outside of the second row, and
- Golden Mile runner-up Cash N Flow, formerly with the All Stars, who won the J D Watts Memorial last month in 1:50.6, drew six.
It will be Northview Hustler’s 12th attempt to win at 1700 metres or less, placings the best he has managed.
Only 10 fillies paid up for the A$100,000 Queensland Oaks with the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained Our Princess Tiffany dominating her rivals and nicely drawn in four.
Lincoln’s Farms’ Lincoln’s Girl will get her chance from two on the gate.
More news in Harness
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Lenny, Leo and La Moose surprise Ray and make it a big night for Lincoln Farms
Argyle running the hands off the clock every week and he’s a top three chance on Saturday
Sugar Ray can deliver knockout blow from the ace in opening Young Guns heat at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 4: Argyle
10.09pm NZ time
“Hell go into the race as one of the favourites for sure and he’ll get a nice trip whether we lead or trail and he should finish top three again. We’ll come off the gate well and hopefully be good enough to hold Alta Magacian beside us. But even if he crosses us, that’s not a bad scenario, as he’s a decent horse who should get us to the corner.”