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Larry Lincoln toying with his rivals last start. PHOTO: Dan Costello.

Second row draws make it harder but Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln can earn cheques

Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln have both drawn the second row at Albion Park on Tuesday but trainer Al Barnes still labels them good each way chances.

Man Of Action is on the quick back-up after running a brave third last Thursday when he sat parked on a 1:54.4 mile rate and was still punching at the line.

The consistent gelding finished only 4.7 metres from winner Notorious, running good closing sectionals of 55.89 and 27.86.

“He’s pretty tough,” says Barnes. “He’ll handle as much as we throw at him.

“It’s a pretty even field but he’s up to those horses. He shouldn’t be too far off them when they settle and will be running on.

“If they get a little luck both he and Larry Lincoln could bob up and win.”

Larry Lincoln, who humbled a rating 51 to 55 field last week, starts one race later in a 53 to 60 race, the sole runner on the second line with the early defection of Jay Dee Be Rollin.

Larry Lincoln scored his third win from only five starts in Queensland on October 30, driver Hayden Barnes gradually working his way to the lead before sprinting clear in the home stretch.

He looked to have plenty in reserve in clocking a 1:54.1 mile rate, seven metres clear of his nearest rival.

Barnes says having discovered Larry is best driven more quietly, his son Hayden was likely to come off the markers and bide his time.

“There’s a bit of speed in the race, with quite a few go-forward horses, so they’ll be running.

“It’s a very even race. Rocks Or Diamonds is flying and Remember Me Now is going better than his form reads but Larry will be competitive and I think he can earn a cheque. He’s going really well and keeps improving.

“I think he’ll be close enough to come with one closing shot at them.”

Man Of Action races at 6.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Man Of Action races at 6.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Larry Lincoln races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Larry Lincoln races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Wednesday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm

“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”

Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm

“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm

“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm

“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”

Whales Harness