Hustler’s the class horse but he’ll still need to show some heart on Tuesday, says Al
By Barry Lichter • 27 May 2019
On ratings, Northview Hustler should simply have the wood on his rivals at Albion Park on Tuesday.
But trainer Al Barnes says drawn four on the second row, last week’s Flashing Red winner will still have to show some heart to win the final race at 8.17pm NZ time.
Hustler gets into the mobile 2138 metre race for c6 and c7 horses with a c7 rating but he carries a metropolitan mark of M4 compared with the M0 status of the rest of the field.
But while he will start favourite, Barnes says with talented filly Fame Assured (14 wins from 25 starts) in the field, he’s unlikely to be a raging hot pot.
“He’s the class horse of the field, no doubt, but our plan will be to try to stay in front of Fame Assured. We’ve got the best horse and will drive him accordingly and be aggressive.
“We’ll try to get round them pretty quickly. Hopefully if the race pans out as I hope it will, he’ll get a good run through at the start and be in front or in the chair.’’
Northview Hustler with driver Hayden Barnes and trainer Al Barnes after his fresh-up win nine days ago. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Barnes suspects the in-form Pinup Boy will get out fast from six, attack for the lead, and park Hustler. But Pinup Boy is likely to be running on empty at the finish of 2138 metres, he says.
“We’ll have to be tough this week and do a bit of work but even though it’s like a maiden voyage for us I’m still confident he’ll do well.
“The reports I’m getting are he’s as good in the chair as he is in front. He doesn’t have to be silly and run Vasari times, he just needs to be a tradesman, sit patient, and get the job done.’’ (Vasari clocked a supersonic 1:52 mile rate when winning last Friday night).
Barnes reports Hustler is very happy and seems a little better in his gait after some work on his stifles. Barnes noticed Hustler was quite hoppy in his action behind when winning the Flashing Red when he paced the 2647 metres from a stand in a mile rate of 1:57.3, just three tenths of a second outside the track record.
Natural improvement should see Hustler even sharper on Tuesday as that was his first race for five months.
Hustler’s first target remains the A$31,400 Redcliffe Cup (2613m) on June 22, with his ultimate goal the $A200,000 The Blacks A Fake Championship (2680m) on July 20.
Sportsbet has Hustler a $5 fifth favourite for that winter Group I feature behind Tiger Tara ($3.50), with Colt Thirty One, Our Uncle Sam and Poster Boy all on $4.
Northview Hustler races at 8.17pm NZ time on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
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
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
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.”
