
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.
More news in Harness
Debt-ridden ATC on back foot again after buyer pulls out of $70m sale of Franklin Park
It’s an even line-up but stick with fleet-footed Debbie Lincoln at Auckland on Friday night
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Ray reaches for the half hopples to keep Whats Up The Hill trotting at Cambridge on Thursday
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”