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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: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Tuesday at Addington

Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
4.03pm

“She’s drawn out but I think she’s got the gate speed to be put into the race. You’ve got to be handy to beat the good ones and we don’t want to be stuck behind some of the others. The one drawn two inside us, Arafura, looks the one to beat but Debbie is as good as anything in the race in my opinion. It’s not going to be easy but I’m hopeful. She’s done well down here and is in good shape.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 5: Im Not The Maid
6.17pm

“The draw helps and while she’s very honest she still needs to improve. Gary Hall said she was a bit stop-start last time but he cut corners and wasn’t too far away at the finish. He reckoned his toe rope broke at the top of the straight.”

Race 8: Lincoln Maree
7.49pm

“She showed no speed when resuming and it’s hard to see her playing a part in this.”

Race 8: Lincoln Downs
7.49pm

“She went the best of them last time, was hampered turning or home, and could improve.”

Race 8: Jessie Lincoln
7.49pm

“She’s a big filly but so far, so good. There are a few negatives, like the second row draw and it being her first time under lights, but I think she could go quite well. It’s not a wonderful lot against her and she’s training well.”

Race 8: Lincoln’s Spice
7.49pm

“She over-raced early first-up and burned herself out. She’s a delicate little thing but we’ll put some plugs in her this week. Last time in I thought she could be the best of them. Whether the others have caught her up or she’s gone backwards I don’t know.”

Race Images - Harness