Acupuncture has helped free up Man Of Action’s rear end and trainer Al Barnes says he’s a different horse this week.
A prick here and a prick there and Man Of Action is a happy horse at long last
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2021
It’s been a long time since Al Barnes looked forward to taking Man Of Action to the races.
But tonight he’ll float the horse to Redcliffe with a completely different outlook - thanks to an acupuncture session that seems to have completely transformed the horse.
Barnes got into the sulky when he raced last week to see if he could discover why Man Of Action has been out of the money in his last 13 starts, a losing streak dating back to last November.
“He was throwing his legs really wide, kicking the wheels, and they were that wide he was nearly kicking other people’s wheels.
“And he stood in the tie-up stalls kicking all night, so I definitely think he’s been trying to send us a message.
“He’s 10 times better than he’s been showing,” said Barnes who has also seen the horse struggle to cope with the Queensland heat in recent months.
Enter former driver and trainer Jason Proctor, these days in demand for the excellent results trainers are getting from his acupuncture treatment.
Al Barnes … the horse has been trying to send us a message.“We found a few problems in his back end. He had a muscle tear in his lumbar and everything was really tight. Muscles need to be soft and supple so he was in a lot of discomfort.”
With blood flow to the area stimulated by Proctor’s needles, Man Of Action has been a different horse this week, says Barnes.
“He’s so much happier. Normally he’s a pest to jog, his tail swishes and he bucks and carries on, but this week he’s been jogging like a lamb.”
And instead of the grumpy animal who’d continually try to double barrel Barnes, or get angry with him if he even attempted to fix his rug strap, Man Of Action has been super chilled.
Barnes has also “gone hard” treating the horse’s ulcers.
“Ulcers were giving him grief, so I’ve changed his feed, given him more roughage during the day and some liquorice, which really helps them.”
Now that Man Of Action isn’t hurting, Barnes hopes we’ll start to see a different horse in the next few weeks.
“I’m not saying he’s perfect - he’ll be a lot better next week - but I’m really happy with him and looking forward to racing tonight.
“Last week he had a lot of problems and didn’t finish that far away (fourth) so this week, well on the way to healing, I’m hoping he can do better.
“It’s a very even field - a bit weaker than last week - and while he’s drawn badly, I’m happy with that. I can grab hold, go back to the running line and let him run on.
“I want to give him confidence that he’s not going to hurt.”
Man Of Action races at Redcliffe on Wednesday night at 8.47pm.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
