A clean start on Monday and we’ll find out where Hustler sits against the big guns

Northview Hustler only has to step cleanly to be competitive in Monday’s Flying Stakes at Ashburton, says trainer Ray Green.

On his first big trip away from home, Hustler meets a strong line-up in the $50,000 Labour Day feature, most of the New Zealand Cup favourites against him.

But from three on the tapes, Green says he will have his chance to make a statement, providing he can begin swiftly.

Hustler was unlucky to bungle the start at Auckland last week when he got too close to the tape and reared when it was released, scrambling to hit his straps for the first 100 metres.

“He’s not infallible at the start but he very rarely makes mistakes.”

Hustler only has to begin as well as he did when leading all the way in the Spring Cup at his previous start - when he picked up speed quickly from his 20 metre handicap and was in front after 400 metres - to be right in the van from the outset.

On Monday nine horses share the front line in the 2400 metre event, with Alta Orlando unruly, out wide and just in behind them.

“He’s run well in his last two starts and there’s no reason to think he won’t go well again,” says Green. “Yes, it’s the first time he’s travelled anywhere, except for three times to Cambridge, but he’s a sensible horse and he’s had his mate (Beaudiene Western) down there with him. He’s stabled next to him at home and they rub noses every night.

“Craig (Sharpe) said he settled in straight away down there at Ken Barron’s and he feels on top of his game.

“He’s racing the best of the best now, the best in the southern hemisphere, and it remains to be seen if he’s good enough. We’ll be hoping some of them make mistakes and we can pounce on them.”

Bookies don’t rate Hustler on Monday, pricing him equal rank outsider at $37 to win and $7.20 a place along with No Doctor Needed and Letspendanitetogetha. He is even longer for the Trotting Cup at $51 and $12.50.

The three favourites at Ashburton are Ultimate Machete $3.80, Dream About Me $4 and Star Galleria $4.20.

Beaudiene Western one to beat

Beaudiene Western, sold on Monday to Perth, continues his Sires’ Stakes campaign in the fifth race and Green expects him to be extremely competitive.

“He has to be the one to beat. Compared with what he’s been racing up here it looks a step down and he should get a good trip from four.

“He’s never been 2400 metres before but that shouldn’t worry him. That one of Robert Dunn’s, Henry Hubert, is a handy horse but he’s drawn badly.”

Green says depending on how Beaudiene Western comes through the race he might contest the final Sires’ Stakes heat at Addington on November 2.

He has already qualified for the $170,000 Final run on cup day, November 13.