Wear and tear is getting to Northview Hustler who always gives 100% in the high speed Albion Park racing. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Fast sectionals take their toll on the Hustler - and speed battle took down Man Of Action too
By Barry Lichter • 27 October 2020
Northview Hustler will have his fetlock joint injected today after pulling up lame from his unlucky run at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The Hustler ran last behind Turn It Up but still ran faster closing sectionals than the winner despite being held up for a run in the home straight.
But the Hustler’s low flying 54.81 and 27.46 took its toll and Barnes sought veterinary treatment for the horse immediately afterwards to reduce inflammation in his joint.
Stewards later stamped the vet’s recommendation that the horse not race for the next 10 days, time which Barnes says he will use to treat the joint again.
Barnes is now battling wind galls, swellings around the joint resulting from concussion, which instead of being spongy have hardened but are still causing pain.
Barnes was hoping to take the Hustler back to the local university whose previous treatment got the best result as subsequent efforts by local vets have not been so effective.
While that would involve more scans, Barnes believes the Hustler’s performances warrant the expense.
“It’s such a shame as he’s going as well as he’s ever raced. But that joint is an ongoing problem which needs maintenance.”
Barnes says he should have the Hustler ready to race again on Saturday week.
In the meantime, Man Of Action goes round in the seventh race today, driver Brendan Barnes handicapped by a second row draw.
“We’ll be relying on luck from there and will just have to wait to see how the race pans out. Brendan may punch through and try to be handy but I’ll leave it up to him.”
Barnes says it’s best to disregard Man Of Action’s failure last week when his fifth placing blotted his consistent form line since arriving in Queensland.
The horse was involved in a hectic three-way fight for the lead which saw the opening quarter run in a blistering 26.9.
And even after Man Of Action made the front he was savaged by second favourite The Fortunate Son, resulting in a second 400 of 28.8 for a 55.7 first half.
Commentator Chris Barsby rightly noted Man Of Action “was out of bullets” on the home turn but he battled away to finish 14 metres from the winner while The Fortunate Son stopped badly to last.
Barnes believes the performance will have earned the horse respect the next time he leads.
Man Of Action races at 7.42pm NZ time at Albion Park today.
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
