Hustler roars home in quiet trial and shows he’s nearly ready to rumble again

Northview Hustler showed he had lost none of his ability when he ripped home a fast last quarter in an Albion Park trial yesterday.

And the horse is doing so well in his new preparation, trainer Al Barnes has him on target to resume racing on February 1.

Having his first strong hitout since injuring a tendon when winning his last start in September, the Hustler was allowed to trundle along at the rear of the six-horse field.

Driver Hayden Barnes didn’t pull out until late in the straight and the six-year-old exploded home for fifth, only 7.8 metres from winner Invincible Loxton.

Northview Husler is travelling comfortably at the line.“Hayden said he felt super. He would have run home in a very low 26 and did it within himself.

“I was happy the young fella (Angus Gerrard) led and only went steadily, as 1:57.7 was a good mile time for him to go first-up, rather than 1:53.”

Barnes reported Hustler’s heart rate was 91, indicating he had done a good bit of work in the trial which turned into only a scoot home.

“He’s pretty well ready to go now but he’ll have another, slightly more serious trial next Tuesday, then should be ready to race 11 days later.”

Barnes says Hustler’s leg is looking perfect and he’s as big as he’s seen him.

Hayden Barnes, widest, opens the throttle a little on Northview Hustler close to home in his trial at Albion Park on Tuesday.“He’s huge, with a big bum and great top. He’s just got a few niggly muscles over his back end but I’ll get my muscle man on to that.”

Barnes did a sterling job with Northview Hustler last year, with four wins from 14 starts and A$53,100 in stakes, and showed he was up to the best in the state with unlucky Group I runs in both the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake last July.

Newcomer Super Easy was given an unofficial educational trial yesterday and showed he still had plenty to learn.

The unraced Art Major three-year-old paced a slow mile in about 2:07 and did a bit wrong, says Barnes.

“They went very slow then sprinted and he didn’t like that, he didn’t handle the transition from walking to sprinting.

“I’ll put him in an official trial next Tuesday where they’ll go quicker. He’s better rolling even quarters.”

Cover Boy Pretty and Joey Lincoln will have their first educational trials next week.