Small field, mostly same rivals, sees Hustler hot to get same result on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 29 August 2019
Against virtually the same field he beat last week, Northview Hustler looks a royal chance of making it back-to-back wins at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Only six rivals are carded against the Hustler in the fourth race, and only one of those is a newcomer, the well performed ex-Kiwi Watch Pulp Fiction.
And trainer Al Barnes says that will be the norm for the foreseeable future with the inter-state visitors gone and many of the first and even second tier horses out spelling.
“It should be another comfortable race for him on Saturday. I won’t say he’ll win every week but he’ll certainly be top three.
“And it’s still good money.”
The Hustler banked A$7990 last week and is up for the same again on Saturday with the A$14,700 stake - and Barnes says he’ll face the starter in even better nick.
Northview Hustler has Chantrey well covered near the finish last week.After having his fetlocks injected, the horse has been much sounder and keener in his work.
“He’s feeling good and seems much brighter. The chiropractor came on Monday and couldn’t find anything wrong with him.”
On previous occasions the Hustler has had problems with his back end, Barnes said.
Drawn six, with regular driver Hayden Barnes back aboard, the Hustler is expected to play the waiting game on Saturday night before using his electric speed.
But he’s sure to keep an eye on pole runner Watch Pulp Fiction, who looks his only potential stumbling block.
Watch Pulp Fiction is having his first race for nearly a month after some good form at the winter carnival. He pipped Northview Hustler for third in the Group I Sunshine Sprint then ran a brave fourth in the Group I A$250,000 Blacks A Fake Championship behind Colt Thirty One. His last-start second was behind the talented Major Cam.
Barnes is confident, however, that the Hustler can put his superior speed to good effect at his favourite distance of 2138 metres.
Last week he was clocked to run home in a sizzling 54.1.
Northview Hustler races at 8.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
4.52pm
“She did a good job last week at Auckland. Throwing her in the deep end seems to have toughened her up a bit. She’s getting stronger all the time. This is a big drop in class and she’s a chance from a better gate (three).”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.20pm
“If the real Prince turned up he’d absolutely be hard to beat. If he leads, as he should do from two, he’s a different horse.”
Race 3: Major Copy
5.54pm
“Maurice just nursed him around on debut. He was stepping over tyre marks on the track so he didn’t want to launch him into the open too soon. We’ll put a shadow roll on him this time to stop that and I can see him going a lot better from the inside draw.”
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.54pm
“I’m not saying she can’t win but it will be hard for Fergie to find a good trip from the draw. She’ll need a lot of luck but she can be right in it if things go her way as she’s training well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Dealer
6.49pm
“He’s been a slow developing horse and you can’t drive him pretty, he won’t let you, as he’s a bit of a hot head. Maurice will launch him and see where he ends up.”
Race 5: Spirit Of God
6.49pm
“She got tired late last time and started hanging a bit (hitting a marker) but I thought she went OK. She did a bit early (from a wide draw) and was still there at the finish so she’s going to win a race. You never know with second line draws but it’s usually a decent impairment.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.40pm
“She never runs a bad race. She has a big motor for a little filly and should be right in the fray.”
Race 7: Angelic Copy
7.40pm
“Maurice said she foundered a bit when they took off, and got three or four lengths behind, but she didn’t lose any more ground after that and held her place. So the run wasn’t as bad as it looked and she’ll be improved.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.14pm
“It was a non-event last time (from a stand) and he’s a good horse who will be vying for the lead from five and deserves to be favourite.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.14pm
“Peter (Ferguson) said he didn’t feel as sharp last week as in the past so I’ve given him a little freshen-up with a light week and he should go better.”
