Hustler big on the clock today - and it’s only 18 more sleeps until we see him back
By Barry Lichter • 9 June 2020
Northview Hustler took another big step to the A$25,630 Redcliffe Gold Cup in 18 days when he scorched round Albion Park in a 1:53.2 mile rate this afternoon.
Firing straight to the lead from his outside draw, the Hustler led all the way over the 1660 metres, reeling off his last 800 metres in a slick 54.1 and 400 in 26.6.
Best of all, driver Hayden Barnes never put the horse under pressure to win by five metres over Mymatepog with classy mare Smart As Camm Be another 7.8 metres away in third.
“Hayden said he did it within himself,” said trainer Al Barnes. “But he needed a good hitout. His heart rate after ten minutes dropped from 100 to 87 so he’s still got a way to reach peak fitness. Last time he won here over 2138 metres his heart rate was 80.”
Barnes plans to trial the Hustler again next Tuesday when he will step the horse up to 2138 metres, meaning he will need to contest a standing start.
But Barnes is determined to have the Hustler super fit for his resumption as the Listed event at Redcliffe is run over the longer 2613 metres.
Northview Hustler is under no pressure to clock 1:53.2 today.He will top off his Redcliffe preparation by bringing the horse to Albion Park on Sunday week for a fast 2400 metre training run.
“It was nice to blast him out today and see him run a quick quarter as we now know if we draw wide we can run the gate and put ourselves into the race.
“He’s had it easy for while now, going back and running home, but we all know how tough he is - he just needed a bit of a reminder.
“He’s just got to stand up now. He was still a little scratchy in behind today but the vet is coming tomorrow to work on him. It’s nothing major he’s just got to fix up some little niggles.
“He’s a bit hoppy gaited when he’s going slow so he’s pinching somewhere in the back end.”
While Hustler was big on the clock today Barnes wasn’t getting carried away with his easily accounting for Smart As Camm Be and Lilac Flash.
“They were just there for a quiet trail in their first start back from tendon injuries.”
While Barnes is keen for Northview Hustler to contest the Redcliffe Cup on June 27 he says that race is not the main target.
It’s for the last two of the three Albion Park features in July - the A$25,630 Mr Feelgood (2138m) on July 18 and A$25,630 Lucky Creed (2680m) a week later - when he will have the horse really firing.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
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.”
