
Larry Lincoln is just a nose behind Man Of Action, inner, and cruising at the finish of his trial last week.
Al pumped over new Lincoln Farms’ pair - and he says Larry Lincoln is fair flying
Trainer Al Barnes is looking forward to tonight at Albion Park when he unleashes his two new Lincoln Farms runners, Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action.
Barnes says both horses will be hard to beat, Larry Lincoln, in particular, whom the bookies have a $1.45 hotpot for the fourth race.
“I can’t fault Larry, he’s a nice horse. On his trial and his work he should be winning. His work has been super at home and he’s ready to go.”
Barnes says his son Hayden was very taken by Larry Lincoln’s trial last week when he was pipped a nose by Man Of Action in a mile rate of 1:54.8.
“Hayden said he could have gone 1:53 and he’s improved since then.”
The field Larry faces tonight is below par and Barnes doesn’t expect his barrier six draw to be any hindrance over the 1660 metre trip.
Pukekohe trainer Ray Green never made a secret of the high speed Larry possesses, it was only his stamina that was in question here.
Man Of Action … has been in solid form at Auckland.Man Of Action faces an even line-up in the sixth race, where he is a $2 favourite in gate four.
“He’s improving every time we work him but he’s still a little tubby for my liking and may need a couple of runs to tighten up.
“He’s not 100 percent yet but if he runs up to his trial he’ll run top three.”
Man Of Action has been a model of consistency since lockdown and was a last-start second to Adieu Flirt at Alexandra Park on August 20.
Brief break for Hustler
Meanwhile, Barnes has scratched Northview Hustler from his engagement on Saturday night.
The horse ran a terrific third equal last week behind Colt Thirty One but is a bit niggly this week, says Barnes.
“It’s nothing major but he’s a bit foot sore with corns and is a bit flat and tired and dry in the coat.
“The best he could have managed this week (from the second row) was to slip into fourth so I’ll give him a week off and a little freshen-up.”
Barnes says the Hustler is due for his monthly joint treatment but, unable to take him to the university, where he has always had a good result, he’s trying a new vet and a few different products.
“He should be back at the trials in three weeks and back at the races in a month.”
Larry Lincoln races at 9.24pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
Man Of Action races at 10.22pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
More news in Harness
Kevin Kline the kind of horse everybody would love to own - he just keeps running
Debt-ridden ATC on back foot again after buyer pulls out of $70m sale of Franklin Park
It’s an even line-up but stick with fleet-footed Debbie Lincoln at Auckland on Friday night
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”

