The red spots show areas of Queensland which have had more than 100ml of rain in the last 24 hours.
Queensland’s big wet leaves Man Of Action well short on fitness for Albion Park today
By Barry Lichter • 22 March 2021
A week of wet weather has left Man Of Action well short on fitness for today’s meeting at Albion Park which trainer Al Barnes says may not even go ahead.
Persistent rain in south and east Queensland has left many parts of the state under water and Barnes says his track at Marburg has been a bog for a week and a half.
“It’s pouring down. We’ve probably had 200ml. We had 100ml before yesterday when the rain set in and it’s been constant since.
“Man Of Action has jogged every day but he’s had a week without fast work. A lot of people will be in the same boat.
“That’s why he’s in on a Monday (poorer fields) because of his lack of fitness. We’ll use it as a fitness run and do the best we can.”
Barnes says had Man Of Action been fit and healthy today’s seventh race, with its lack of form, would have been perfect for him.
But the horse’s health has also not been the best lately, the reason he has run last in both outings since resuming from a spell, the latest on March 12 after trailing throughout.
“Before the rain we had a month of real hot and humid weather and he just didn’t handle it. His coat went right off and he was nearly dehydrated.
“For the last two weeks I’ve been working hard to turn his health around. This cooler weather will help.”
Man Of Action has drawn wide in six on the front line.
Man Of Action races at 5.49pm NZ time at Albion Park on Monday.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
5.55pm
“The race never panned out for him on debut, he got too far back from a second row draw, but we’ve got the gun draw and gun driver (Zachary Butcher) on this time. He can run off the gate a bit so I don’t see why he can’t lead. I’d like to think he’s a chance to get some money. He’s been trialling and working well.”
Ray’s tips
Thursday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.41pm
“He missed four or five days work with an abscess in his foot when he came back from Manawatu so he could be a bit short.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.41pm
“She doesn’t handle the bends so well the Auckland way and is just going round to lose points. She’s been crucified by the handicapping system.”
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
6.06pm
“He’s not the finished article yet but he’s slowly getting the hang of it. There are nicer horses in the race than the ones he raced against at Manawatu so I’Il be happy if he can just do everything right and run a slot.”
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.31pm
“She won from a wide draw last time at Manawatu but this is a slightly harder field. She keeps drawing badly and the outside gate might inconvenience her again.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He got pushed out down the back last time because he couldn’t keep up. We had big aspirations for him but it looks like he isn’t as good as we thought. Nothing can beat Marketplace.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
7.54pm
“I’m sure she’s up to them when she’s right but she’s had her setbacks recently. First she tied up and then she kicked out at something and bruised a foot. She’s right now but that will render her not 100% fit.”
Race 9: Lincoln La Moose
9.36pm
“He went good races at Palmy but he pulled far too hard here last time. It was a better run than it looks on paper though as he couldn’t get a run at them in the straight. He’s probably on his mark now and will need a bit of luck.”
