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Majordan downs Our Uncle Sam in the Len Smith Mile at Menangle nine days ago. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.

Yikes, Hustler’s got his hands full here as Sydney flyers invade Brisbane for the sprint

Lincoln Farms’ Northview Hustler passed the first hurdle and made the field for Saturday night’s A$100,000 Sunshine Sprint (1660m) at Albion Park in Brisbane.

But from three on the second row he’s going to need everything going for him in Queensland’s feature winter sprint with several in-form flyers making the trek north from New South Wales.

The barrier draw, done live at a special ceremony at 11.30am NZ time today, swung the way of the state’s top pacer Colt Thirty One who will start from two.

But it was cruel for the Hustler - with only two marbles left to draw he was looking at the perfect three or the second row 10.

The interstate raiders had mixed fortunes:

  • Majordan, recent winner of the Len Smith Mile at Menangle in 1:49.6, is two on the second line.
  • Len Smith runner-up Our Uncle Sam, who won the Group I Bohemia Crystal (2400m) at Menangle in March in a blistering 1:52.3 rate, is beautifully placed in three.
  • Ex Kiwi Letspendanitetogetha, recent winner of the Golden Mile in 1:51.9 has the job ahead of him from the outside of the second row, and
  • Golden Mile runner-up Cash N Flow, formerly with the All Stars, who won the J D Watts Memorial last month in 1:50.6, drew six.

It will be Northview Hustler’s 12th attempt to win at 1700 metres or less, placings the best he has managed.

Only 10 fillies paid up for the A$100,000 Queensland Oaks with the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained Our Princess Tiffany dominating her rivals and nicely drawn in four.

Lincoln’s Farms’ Lincoln’s Girl will get her chance from two on the gate.

Our runners this week

Sunday at Cambridge

Lincoln Maree, Lincoln Lover, Lincoln Downs.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Wednesday at Auckland

Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm

“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”

Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm

“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”

Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm

“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”

Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm

“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”

Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm

“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”

Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm

“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”

Whales Harness