Northview Hustler is an unassuming little fella, who in work, seldom gives his trainer Ray Green the impression he could beat a maiden field let alone a quality Winter Cup line-up comprising of last year’s Auckland Cup runner-up.
But that’s not to say that Green didn’t think his three-year-old could beat his older and more experienced rivals in the feature pace last Friday at Alexandra Park.
“He’s an average worker but he’s a whole new racehorse when the day tote opens. He’s a tough little fella and I thought if he stepped away cleanly he would be right in it.
“But to win like he did surprised me a bit. He’s an unspectacular sort of horse who always has the ability to do the unexpected. He seems to be able to rise above and beyond,” Green said.
The R77 ranked Northview Hustler displayed a heap of character and guts to sit parked for the last 1300m and then win the $20,000 Smith & Partners Lawyers sponsored 2017 Winter Cup.
All nine of the runners in Friday's feature pace for the R70 to R104 ranked pacers were four years or older - all except Northview Hustler.
The three-year-old black Bettor's Delight - Northview Desire colt was only having his 11th start compared to some in the field who had raced seven and eight times more than that.
David Butcher settled Northview Hustler fourth along the markers (in single file) not long after starting from their 10m handicap. That's where they remained until Butcher went and sat parked with him at the 1300m.
Then for the remainder of the race the talented colt showed more heart than Mother Theresa to hold out 2016 Auckland Cup runner-up and the 102-ranked favourite, Hug The Wind (Zac Butcher), by half a neck. Second favourite Bettor's Pocket (Tony Cameron) was a neck back in third.
Northview Hustler paced the 2700m stand in 3:22.5 (mile rate 2:00.6) and came home in 57.6 and 28.6. He was the $8 fourth favourite.
“I’m proud of him. To be honest I thought Alta Intrigue and Vasari were my best winning chances on the night and they finished second and third in the last race.
“That was his fourth win now and he’s done much better than we thought he might after less than a dozen starts. We will just race him over the winter and see what develops.
“He will tell us where to next. He’s only ever raced at Alexandra Park. The Breeder’s Crown isn’t a reality but Australia could possibly be next season. I think he will make a nice four-year-old,” Pukekohe-based Green said.
Northview Hustler was ranked in the top 10 for the 3YO Emerald Jewels Final but Green opted to race him at northern headquarters instead.
He has now banked $54,249 for his owners - Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Shannon Flay (Mangere), Ian Gradwell (Henderson), Chis Western (Mairangi Bay), Ian Middleton (Greenlane, and the Four Legs Syndicate).
He was bred by Murdoch Bloodstock Limited.
Meanwhile Waiuku trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett won both Breeders Crown heats with Our Rosa (Tony Herlihy MNZM) and Mass Destruction (Hackett). The latter won by a walk-over.
Their recent Monte Saddle Trot winner, Majestic Ali, won the feature trot – the $14,999 Princess Manoja Stakes for the R47 to R60 trotters.
It was Majestic Ali's fourth win in 28 starts and the five-year-old Majestic Ali mare provided Herlihy (MNZM) with his second win of the evening.
The 'Iceman' got his hatrick in the ninth event when the three-year-old filly he trains - Moving Money - won easily in 2:47.4 (2200m mobile).
