Man Of Action (4) in his October win at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
We won’t see too much action from Man Of Action on Tuesday but he’s come back better
By Barry Lichter • 1 March 2021
Trainer Al Barnes isn’t expecting too much from Man Of Action when he resumes from a two month break at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Drawn the outside of the gate in the sixth race, Man Of Action will be driven quietly, says Barnes.
“He’ll go back and his trial was good enough to say he’ll run on into the top four.”
Man Of Action finished a head second in his 1660 metre trial on February 23, left in front after the leader galloped at the 400 and run down in the last stride by Jive.
“He’s had a good break and has come back a lot bigger and stronger.
“But I’d like to get him healthier in the coat. The Queensland heat has really dried him out.”
Man Of Action started his Queensland campaign last September in fine style with two seconds and a win and he was only once out of the first five in his first eight starts.
But Barnes says the horse was cooked one night when he had a really hard run and consequently raced flat through December before he was spelled.
“He’s a good bread and butter horse who will be better for the break but Tuesday’s race will be more like a trial for him.
“The two horse (Moresco) will lead and bowl along and the five (Bettathanideal) goes nicely so it’s hard to see him beating them but he’s good enough to run on and be in the money.”
Man Of Action, who has a career record of three wins and 11 placings from 32 starts, is raced by Lincoln Farms owners John and Lynne Street and a host of partners including Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Michael Brereton, Marilyn Brown, Margaret Rabbitt, the Green Machine Racing Syndicate, the Athenry Syndicate and the Chisso’s and Wack Syndicate.
Man Of Action races at 7.22pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
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Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
