Sorry, Hustler, but with a heart rate like that we’ve simply got to increase your workload
By Barry Lichter • 30 July 2020
Frustrated trainer Al Barnes has upped the workload of Northview Hustler after he punctured and pulled up with a high heart rate at Albion Park last week.
But, faced by three serious and in-form rivals in Cruz, Our Uncle Sam and Sydney newcomer Bright Energy, Barnes isn’t expecting the Hustler to test the judge on Saturday night.
Barnes couldn’t believe it when, despite finding his favourite pacemaking role in the Lucky Creed, the Hustler was under pressure turning for home and weakened to run 15.5 metres last.
“But his heart rate afterwards was 115, when it should have been down to about 80, so it seems like it’s his fitness that is not where it needs to be.
“That sounds strange after he’s had five races back now but we’ve been trying to do the right thing by him and have probably just been too kind to him.
“We’ve tried to look after his joints by not working him hard and he’s done too well. He’s eating too well and is bigger than he’s ever been.”
Starting this week, however, Barnes has started dishing it up to the horse, hoppling him on both Tuesday and Thursday, instead of just galloping him.
“He’s obviously got improvement to make fitness-wise but even though his runs look disappointing on paper, he’s not going badly on the clock. He’s obviously not at his best but they’re going so fast.”
Albion Park races are much faster now than when Northview Hustler won the Flashing Red last year. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Winner Kid Montana posted a mile rate of 1:56.5 in winning last week’s 2680 metre feature, compared with the Hustler’s 1:57.3 for the slightly shorter 2647 metres when he won the Flashing Red in his Australian debut in May, 2019.
Three starts back the Hustler recorded the second fastest closing sectionals in the Wondai’s Mate, sizzling home from the back in 53.63 and 25.98 and could run only eighth.
“When they’re running track record times and you’ve got to do it from behind you’ve got no chance.”
On Saturday night the Hustler is favoured with another front line draw but from five Barnes says he can’t see the horse being able to cross Maywyn’s Best inside him.
And he knows where the horse will finish if he’s forced to breeze on a 1:51 mile.
Cruz, winner of both the Wondai’s Mate and Mr Feelgood, is set to start a hot favourite but he should be seriously challenged by Our Uncle Sam and Bright Energy who boasts a 13 wins from 22 start record for Craig Cross.
Bright Energy, who is fresh, paced a 1:49.8 mile at Menangle in February and recently trialled there in 1:52.6.
Barnes is looking forward to the interstate horses going home but says he’ll just get the Hustler into the routine of consistent work and weekly racing.
“It’s frustrating but at least he’s sound and has no problems so we’ll keep trying.”
Northview Hustler races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
