Al’s working on Hustler’s niggles and says he’ll improve out of sight on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 12 March 2020
Trainer Al Barnes has been treating Northview Hustler for problems with his back end this week and he is confident he can go close to winning at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Northview Hustler did what Barnes expected when resuming last week, blowing out in the run home, but over a longer distance this time, from two on he gate, he says the horse will improve out of sight.
“I reckon they’ll be flat out stopping him. I’m confident he can run first or second from that draw as he’ll get a sweet trip behind the leader (Smooth Showgirl) and he’ll only have to sprint for 200 metres.
“Hustler is very quick over 200 metres and he could even beat Smooth Showgirl.”
The Hustler showed a glimpse of his vintage speed last week when driver Hayden Barnes unleashed him from the one-one 400 metres out when the parked horse Sams The Master started paddling.
He quickly ranged up three wide turning in but when he normally would have kept sprinting, he soon ran out of puff.
“We knew he’d need the run,” says Barnes. “And Hayden didn’t knock him around when he’d had enough.”
Barnes says he’s been working on a number of issues which have been bothering the Hustler including a fetlock, his feet and back muscles.
When he had acupuncture last Sunday the operator was amazed the horse had been able to sprint at all last time.
His muscles were due to be massaged today and Barnes is continually icing his leg, rubbing him with linament and treating him with ultrasound.
“We’ll keep working on him until we get it under control. It’s hard to say how he’s come to have so many little problems. He could have rolled in his box or the paddock, he might be transferring weight, or it might be because he was using different muscles while on the water walker in Sydney.
“But we’re getting him back into a routine and he’ll come good. It might take him a run or two to get back to his best because we’re not working him hard at the moment but he’s bright and eating well so I’m expecting a big run this week.”
All four of Northview Hustler’s runs this time in have been over 1660 metres, a distance he has yet to win at. The last time he raced over 2138 metres he won and his best mile rate for the trip is 1:53.1, a lot quicker than Smooth Showgirl’s best of 1:54.3.
Northview Hustler races at 11.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
