Hustler to give them a hurry-up in Spring Cup

Trainer Ray Green is tipping a bold run from Northview Hustler in the feature race at Auckland on Friday night, despite his having only a 10 metre start on Star Galleria and No Doctor Needed in the $20,000 Spring Cup.

Green was rapt with the way Northview Hustler won his 2500 metre heat at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday when he held off race rival Jack’s Legend, reeling off final 800m and 400m sectionals of 56.8 and a sizzling 26.5.

“He’s always a chance in a race like this and if he were to get the front he’d be extremely dangerous.

“They don’t seem to rate him but if that workout hasn’t gutted him he’s got to be a decent place chance at least.’’

Northview Hustler ran “the best last placing you’d ever see’’, says Green, when resuming at Auckland two weeks ago.

Just 100 metres from home and Andrea Poutama is frustrated for an inside run and about to drag Northview Hustler across heels to find roomUnlucky to be caught rearing when the tapes were released, Northview Hustler ended up three deep on the markers and when Star Galleria was mounting his winning run out wide, Andre Poutama was desperately trying to probe for an inside gap, ending up having to drag back and come across heels just 100 metres from the finish.

Recco Lover a ratings special

He flashed late to be only 3.2 lengths from the winner, running his last mile in 1:54.7, time beaten only by the first two home.

Green is hoping Northview Hustler can show up on Friday to earn some points for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, for which he is presently ranked 23rd.

If ever there was a ratings special, it’s Recco Lover in the fourth race.

Lincoln Farms’ talented pacer drops into a rating 40 - 60 race, and meets by far the easiest opposition he has seen since his last win 12 months ago.

In the meantime, Recco Lover has butted heads with some classy three-year-olds, running close up in sizzling times behind King Of Swing in a 1:56 mile rate, American Brave in a 1:53.8 rate, Chase Auckland in a 1:52.2 rate and All U Need Is Faith in 1:56.1.

He meets a bunch of no names on Friday night, a rating 60 horse against half a dozen in the 40s with the closest to him Benson Boys and Comic Book Hero on 55.

And Recco Lover will strip close to full fitness after two runs back this prep, both devoid of luck when parked in the running.

Recco Lover … has the ability of a cups horseHe finished just a head and a neck behind Baquero first-up after facing the breeze and still looking likely in the run home, and was only half a length and a nose from Edamfast last start when again stranded.

With the race restricted to junior drivers on Friday night, Andre Poutama hands over the reins to stable junior Andrew Drake, pictured right, who will still have to drive a race from the outside of the second row.

Trainer Ray Green says he’s told Drake he doesn’t have to win the race in the first 100 metres.

“He’s the best horse in the race no question but he will be at the mercy of the ones in front off him.

“There’s usually a bit of speed on in these mile races, though, and I think he’s good enough to win it any which way.’’

Green makes no secret of the fact that he believes Recco Lover is a potential cups horse if he can keep him sound.

Lincoln Farms mounts a three-pronged assault in the eighth race with Make Way, Beaudiene Western and Trojan Banner and Green had the following to say about each:

Make Way

“He cruised it last start. He’s drawn the inside of the second row but if he can keep up early and follow the one horse, he has to be a chance.

“Dream Major is Barry’s (Purdon) derby horse and you’d think they’d want to lead over a mile, which would give us the trail.

“A mile won’t worry him - he was close up in the Jewels.’’

Beaudiene Western

“David (Butcher) said he just over-raced a bit too much when leading last week and it didn’t help when Andre gave Recco Lover a few stripes alongside him, firing him up even more.

“He’s drawn awkwardly (two on the second line) so he’s at the mercy of what Power Dreaming does in front of him but that horse left the gate pretty well when he won.’’

Trojan Banner

“I was a little bit disappointed with him last week - he should have run on a bit better - so I had a blood test done. It showed he had the tail end of a virus which would have dulled his performance a bit.

“He’s a nice little horse but not as strong as the others at this stage. He popped a curb last prep but he’s improving all the time.’’