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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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
