Trial improves Hustler but Al says he’s not ready to shoot down the Colt just yet
By Barry Lichter • 20 November 2020
Northview Hustler has improved with his trial but trainer Al Barnes has no illusions about beating state champ Colt Thirty One on Saturday night.
The Hustler resumes his interrupted preparation for the fast-closing summer features in the ninth race at Albion Park, badly drawn in six.
And while Barnes says he’s happy enough with the horse he knows it will take a couple of races before he is at his peak.
Barnes got the green light from his vet on Monday to press ahead with the Hustler after a foot abscess halted his preparation.
“We cut it out before he trialled and that’s why he was still a bit scratchy on it.
“He only sprinted for 200 metres but Hayden didn’t think he felt any good. But you’ve got to remember he’s short on fitness and his times were still good.”
Driven quietly in his 1660 metre heat between races last Thursday night, The Hustler was only allowed to run home up the home straight, closing to half a neck and five metres on all-the-way winner Blacksadance and Governor Jujon.
With the leaders pacing a mile rate of 1:54.7 and posting closing sectionals of 55.2 and 26.9, and Hustler going quicker, it wasn’t a bad effort.
“He’ll be much better for that run but what he does on Saturday, he’ll only improve on.”
Barnes said he couldn’t completely write off the Hustler despite his not having raced since October 24, when he pulled up sore.
“I didn’t think he’d go any good when he was first-up last time and he was brilliant and nearly ran down Colt Thirty One.
“But he’ll keep improving. He won’t be 100 percent for the first feature next Saturday, perhaps 90 percent, but he’ll be good enough to run on and be competitive.
“We’re looking to peak him for the big one on December 12.”
And after the carnival Barnes said the Hustler would be placed to give his owners a return and some fun, “without killing him.”
Hayden Barnes brings Larry Lincoln back after his fourth win on end on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Barnes isn’t worried by the fact that the impressive Larry Lincoln returns to racing over 2138 meres in the fifth race, despite his only two defeats in Queenlsand coming at the longer trip.
“The distance wasn’t the problem, it was the way we drove him,” Barnes said.
Since reverting to handling the horse much more quietly out of the gate, and using his speed late, Larry Lincoln has gone on to win four races on end, the latest on Tuesday when he ripped over the 1660 metres in a 1:54.9 mile rate.
Barnes isn’t overawed by the likely favourite Blacksadance having drawn the pole, one inside Larry.
“He’s first-up since July and we’ve got the form on the board.”
Stablemate Man Of Action, who weakened to fifth after leading on Tuesday, isn’t fancied from the outside of the second row.
“He’ll be out the back and we’ll drive him to get his confidence up then we’ll give him a little freshen-up. He’s dropped off in the coat a whisker.”
Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action race at 10.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Northview Hustler races at 12.15pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
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.”
