Fast sectionals take their toll on the Hustler - and speed battle took down Man Of Action too

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.