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
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
