Hayden Barnes, sitting in a short cart, has The Hustler airborne and well clear near the finish. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
The Hustler gets back his respect with sizzling all-the-way 1:52.5 win at Albion Park
By Barry Lichter • 2 January 2021
Northview Hustler ran the fastest time of his career in his sizzling all-the-way win at Albion Park tonight, a performance which trainer Al Barnes says is sure to earn back his respect.
“Everyone thought he was all done but he’s actually been racing super - against far better horses,” Barnes said.
Tonight, with a good front row draw which he’s not had for his last four runs, the Hustler stopped the clock in 1:56.1 for the 1660 metres, a cracking mile rate of 1:52.5.
“He’s probably run quicker times unplaced but that’s certainly his best winning time.”
Determined to take advantage of his two gate tonight, Barnes instructed his son Hayden to really wake the horse up in his preliminary.
Hayden Barnes brings Northview Hustler back to scale after one of his best wins. PHOTO: Dan Costello.And he fitted a shorter cart to the Hustler to get Hayden closer to the horse to reduce the wind resistance.
“I told Hayden to be aggressive and to let him lead. And while it looked like he was nearly crossed by Secretagent Tycoon, who got half a length on him, Hayden had him covered easily, he just didn’t want to go any faster.”
After a slick opening quarter of 26.8, the Hustler got a breather in the second section with a 31 then, despite being held back to the field, he ripped home in 27.8 and 27.
They’re similar fractions to those the Hustler has posted in his last four runs but crucially, they were from the second row and barriers six (twice) and seven.
“His form line doesn’t reflect how well he’s been going. I’ve just been waiting for all the good ones to go home.
“He’ll keep earning money now and hopefully he can put some wins together.”
While the Hustler won only one race in 2020, and has not won for four months, Barnes said the horse was finally sound.
“He wants to do it, and he’ll keep racing. He’ll start next week then have a week off when we’ll do some maintenance on him.
“I’m rapt with the win tonight, especially because so much work and effort goes into him.”
The Hustler, who was sixth favourite in the seven-horse Remembering What A Charmer Pace and paid $10.30 on the tote, was credited with a 4.2 metre margin over favourite Major Cam, with another 2.5 metres to Chevron’s Reward.
It was the 15th win of his career and despite being seven, one of his best.
Northview Hustler has them strung out at the line, with favourite Major Cam closest.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Angelic Copy
4.53pm
“She’s done everything right and trialled really nicely. I think she’s forward enough to give some cheek. She’s only small. You like to think when you get a good two-year-old like her that they’ll get stronger and transition into a nice three-year-old but she hasn’t grown an inch. But she tries hard and enjoys being out there.”
Race 2: Major Copy
5.28pm
“I’m looking forward to seeing him. You never really know ’til you get to the races but he’s trialled well enough to start and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went a good race, despite the draw. He’s a nice sensible colt who’s done nothing wrong and he could develop into a really nice three-year-old.”
Race 6: Lincoln Wave
7.22pm
“He was starting to get into the habit of switching off so we trained him in blinds this week and he went pretty well. He was good from a standing start at the trials with shorteners in and Maurice was actually quite bullish about his standing start manners and thinks that, in time, he’ll end up being a quick beginner. If he steps well, and can land in the first one or two, he’ll definitely be hard to get round.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He’s not spectacular from a stand but he will get away, albeit sometimes a bit slowly. Lincoln Wave has more speed than him but if it comes down to a slugfest he’d be too strong as he’s rock hard fit.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.23pm
“The blinds go back on this week and if he steps and leads like he did three starts ago that would make him the one to beat. He showed with that win that he’s above average and will be a serious chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.23pm
“You could argue she’s a Cambridge horse but sometimes when you throw them in with the bear cats they lift their game and I thought she was really good here last week. Tony (Cameron) said she’d have finished a bit closer too if he hadn’t had to take hold of her close to home (when he ran out of room and hit a marker pole).”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.23pm
“We’ve got blinds on him this week. Harry said he lost concentration a couple of times last week, including at the top of the straight, and thought he’d be a bit more on to it with blinds on. I still thought his was the run of the race last time - none of the others could have done what he did - and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.”
