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
Wednesday at Cambridge
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
1.10pm
“You can’t fault what she’s done up here and she’s trained on really well since Manawatu. She seems to have a good motor and can carry her speed a long way. It’s a bit of a step-up on Wednesday, and she’s drawn out a bit, but she should be right in the fray.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
1.45pm
“It’s a huge drop in class for him on what he’s been racing. The Purdon horse Crippa Max looks the one to beat on his trial but I’m picking we’ll finish in the first three at worst. He’s very honest and does nothing wrong.”
Race 6: Lincoln Downs
2.55pm
“She got skittled early last time when one galloped in front of her, and that didn’t help. It would be nice to see her get a good trip, with no incidents, and see what she can do. She’s no superstar but she tries hard.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
4.31pm
“It’s his first race for more than four months and I’m picking he’ll need the run. It was a toss-up whether we went to the trials, but he’d probably have had no opposition, so it made sense to drop him in here. He’s training well and seems in good shape but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”
