Yuk! Tommy right up against it from the outside but Al warns to watch the Hustler go

Trainer Mark Dux has a word of warning for punters contemplating backing Tommy Lincoln at Albion Park on Saturday night.

“You’ll be taking your chances as there’s a good chance he’ll get a bad trip.”

While Tommy is the second lowest rated pacer in the field, he has been dealt the worst draw - on the outside of the gate.

That’s because the barriers were decided by the horses’ earnings in their last five starts - and Tommy has been slaying it in the last five weeks with three wins and a third.

It matters not that Tommy’s wins have been against a lesser class and that he’s a rating 98 horse compared with others who are ranked up to R119.

“It’s not really fair,” says Dux. “If they’d based it on ratings we’d have been laughing. (Tommy would have drawn two and been a definite contender in his favourite role on the front end.)

“We are right up against it from the draw because we don’t know where he’ll be (in the running).

“I’m sure he can’t lead from out there and if he ends up back in the field and they go slow, it will make it very tough for him.”

Dux welcomed news that Al Barnes is talking a big game with former Lincoln Farms’ flagbearer Northview Hustler, signalling he’ll be leading and running time.

“Will The Wizard (gate three) also has a lot of gate speed and could pressure Northview Hustler. I’d be happy to see Al go hard and park him - it would be better for Tommy and suit a lot of the others too, like Mach Da Vinci.

“This is a fair bit harder than the races Tommy has been winning but he is going well and there’s no reason why he won’t race well again.

“As long as Angus (Garrard) can find a bit of cover for him I wouldn’t write him off completely.”

Dux says despite racing on each of the last five Saturdays, and having some hard runs, Tommy is showing no sign of being tired.

Last Saturday he led, ripped a middle half in 55.3, and cruised home to beat Mach Da Vinci by 2.9 metres in a 1:54.9 mile rate for the 2138 metres.

“He’s actually doing pretty well, nowhere near over the top, but this will be a hard race for him so I might miss next Saturday and give him an easier week.”

Northview Hustler has benefitted from a good break and draws to lead on Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Trained to the minute

Barnes, who bought Lincoln Farms out of Northview Hustler at the end of his last campaign when he was really struggling with ongoing fetlock joint and tendon problems, believes he has the veteran “trained to the minute”.

“He’s jumping out of his skin and will be very hard to beat,” Barnes said.

“When we injected his joints last Thursday it was the first time in two years that they’ve been clean. The vet was amazed at how good they were.

“He’s put on bulk and looks a million dollars.”

Barnes says with long time state champ Colt Thirty One past his best there’s an opening now for a new pacer to dominate the free-for-all ranks.

“I want to make a statement on Saturday and get a bit of respect back for the Hustler and show them he’s back.

“It will be a good race, there’ll be no walking.

“I hope they’re not upset when I park Tommy!”

* Waikato groupies Carl Officer and Stu Cappie retained a small share in Northview Hustler when he was sold in April.

Tommy Lincoln races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.