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We love seeing the Hustler smoking along in front - they’ll have to be good to run him down

Drawn to lead and with only five rivals, Northview Hustler will get his chance to score again at Albion Park on Saturday night, says trainer Al Barnes.

The last time Northview Hustler led, four starts back, he won, clocking a mile rate of 1:52.5 for the 1660 metres, only four tenths of a section slower than last week’s brilliant winner Turn It Up.

At a casual glance the Hustler might not have looked so good in that race last Saturday but his performance belied the sixth placing.

“His sectionals were brilliant,” says Barnes. “And he was running them wide on the track.”

Northview Hustler, widest at the back, unleashing his brilliant last 400.Northview Hustler, widest at the back, unleashing his brilliant last 400.Forced to go back from a wide draw, the Hustler was still last, and three wide, at the 400, but he sizzled home in 53.89 and 26.89, the closing section bettered only by runner-up Imasportsstar (26.61) who enjoyed a pegs run until the turn.

“It was a great run because he was a little big and we thought he’d run out of puff.

“He looks a ready made leader from two on Saturday as the one horse (Subtle Delight) will take a sit.”

Northview Hustler will also be suited more by the extra trip, stepping up to 2138 metres.

“Both Major Cam and Lets Katchmeifucan will be hard to beat, with Major Cam the hardest. But he’ll have to run a good half to catch us. We know what we can run in front.”

Earlier, in the second race, Larry Lincoln also lands a better draw than last week when he could manage only fourth from two on the second row.

Drawing four on Saturday will allow the horse to be driven a little more quietly, says Barnes.

“He just had no luck in the running last week and Hayden had to go too far from home. But he can’t sprint from the 800, he needs to pull out at the 400.”

The long, explosive burst from the back took its toll, with Larry Lincoln’s run coming to an end 200 metres from home, seeing him 8.9 metres from the winner in fourth in a fast 1:53.6 mile rate.

“He’ll go forward on Saturday and find a position and then we can drive him more quietly. The 2138 metre trip isn’t ideal but he’s up to them and he’ll be OK driven colder.”

Larry Lincoln races at 9.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Larry Lincoln races at 9.07pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Northview Hustler races at 11.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Northview Hustler races at 11.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Tuesday twilight at Cambridge

Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
4.53pm

“He’s drawn out a bit this week but I don’t think that will worry him too much. The driver’s pretty confident and we’ve got hopple shorteners on him to help him burn off the gate. Zac was pretty happy with his run last time. He only did what he needed to and there’s not much difference in the quality of the field. That one of Andre’s who beat him last time (St John Eight) is quite a nice horse who’d been racing well at Auckland.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 3: Angelic Copy
6.09pm

Update: Scratched

“There is some doubt over whether she will start and we’re taking blood tomorrow morning to see how she is. We eliminated the tie-up problem but after she trained below par this week we took a blood and it showed she had a virus.”

Race 3: Lincoln Linda
6.09pm

“She’ll need a lot of luck from the outside of the second row. She was too fierce again last time, but I’m hoping the likely faster pace on Friday will suit her.”

Race 4: Lincoln Lover
6.40pm

“Lincoln Lover isn’t training as well as Prince Lincoln but he has the inside draw to help him. And he’s a tough little bugger who’s not one to shirk his responsibilities.”

Race 4: Prince Lincoln
6.40pm

“If I had to choose between them I’d say Prince Lincoln is the better chance. He’s training very well and he’d be a chance of getting some of it with luck from his wide gate.”

Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.23pm

“I’m not holding my breath. He’s gone some handy races against the very best but he’s not in career best form. I’m just hoping the 2700 metres might suit him better. I think he might need a decent break.”

Race Images - Harness