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
By Barry Lichter • 9 July 2019
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.
More news in Harness
Ray: Sammy Lincoln has ‘turned the corner’ and can go on with it on Friday night
Wide draws to overcome but Spirit Of God and Jessie Lincoln should both be competitive
Lincoln Farms turns Spiritual Bliss into a big winner - and now she’s off to the States
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
