Northview Hustler is likely to debut in the Flashing Red, a race named after the dual NZ Cup winner, pictured here scoring in 2007.
Red light flashing - Hustler set to debut on Saturday week in race named after cup hero
By Barry Lichter • 8 May 2019
Trainer Al Barnes is set to throw Northview Hustler in the deep end for his Queensland debut and tackle a feature race he’s always wanted to win.
Hustler had his first fast work today since arriving in Queensland and pleased Barnes, who has his sights on the A$22,000 Flashing Red, a discretionary handicap over 2600 metres from a stand on Saturday week.
“We’re just getting to know him but, so long as his fitness levels are where we want, it looks a good race for him.
“Being rated only c6 over here he’ll get in on the front line and they’ll have to catch him.’’
Barnes expects the race to draw a good quality field, with the likes of Colt Thirty One and Saloon Passage, but says it will give him a good idea of whether Hustler can win a race like the Blacks A Fake, Queensland’s marquee event on July 20.
“He’s eligible for easier races and that’s the debate we had. Do we put him in a weak race for an easy kill or throw him in the deep end?’’
Barnes says he’d love to win the Flashing Red, named after the old iron horse who won the 2006 and 2007 New Zealand Cups for Tim and Anthony Butt.
Barnes knew the horse well after preparing him for 12 months in Brisbane when he was private trainer for part-owner Stu Hunter.
“He ran second in a Victoria Cup and should have won the Hunter Cup when he got on a wheel at the top of the straight and ran third.’’
More news in Harness
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
