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
By Barry Lichter • 9 November 2020
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.
Larry Lincoln races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.40pm
“She’s going as good as she can. She’s got a bit of speed but isn’t that strong. But she should get a nice trip here and be right in the frame. She’ll win one soon.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.40pm
“She’s a big filly who has taken time to mature but she has plenty of ability. She’s a good pacer and I expect her to improve on her resuming run and go well.”
Race 1: Lincoln Dealer
5.40pm
“He’s a bit of a handful, too keen for his own good sometimes, so I’ll be happy to see him just get round and do most things right. He’s no superstar but he’s coming to it slowly but surely. We’re throwing him in the deep end here and he has a terrible draw but we have to start somewhere.”
Race 4: Lincoln Maree
7.04pm
“She’s as tough as old boots and tries like hell and you can’t ask for much more than that. She just lacks a bit of speed but has a good attitude. She usually finds one or two better than her but will make them work for it anyway.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.56pm
“He’ll be improved for the last run, has trialled and is working well, and has a better draw (the ace) this time. You just have to be a bit wary because he’s let us down a couple of times.”
Race 3: Angelic Copy
5.56pm
“She had a tie-up issue but seems much better now. It’s her first run for a while so she’ll definitely need the run. I’m just hoping she gets around all right and pulls up OK.”
Race 3: Colonel Lincoln
5.56pm
“He’s a very capable horse, if injury prone, and he’s been back in work for three or four months. You never say never but, realistically, he’s just starting off so you can’t expect him to be at his peak.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
6.55pm
“I know I said it two starts back but if there’s such a thing as a certainty, he’s it. Even from seven on the gate, everything says he’s the one to beat. If he hadn’t gone a bit goofy up the home straight last time in the Sires’ Stakes Semi at Cambridge, he’d have easily run third. This is a huge drop in class.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.58pm
“I expect he’ll be a bit sharper this time. He’s looking well and feeling good but I still think another run under his belt will be beneficial for him. He’s not one to leap out of the ground but he is capable of taking the race.”
