
Man Of Action is not even out of third gear for Zachary Butcher at Cambridge last night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Auckland next for Man Of Action after he sleep walks his way to easy Cambridge win
Man Of Action will get his chance against better opposition at Auckland next Friday after he scored easily in little more than a training exercise at Cambridge last night.
Man Of Action, whose half brother Make Way races at Menangle tonight, always had the race in safe keeping, strolling to an early lead and cruising home in a sedate mile of 1:59.1.
Driver Zachary Butcher had only to reel off closing sectionals of 59.5 and 28.1 to win by three-quarters of a length, runner-up Delightful Catherine getting so close only because he was sleep-walking.
“He did what we expected and did it well,” said trainer Ray Green. “It was just a glorified Saturday workout for him.
“Zac said he only did what he had to. He pulled the plugs and had to shake him up the last bit because they were all coming. But he said he was just loafing and was never going to get beaten.
“We’ll back him up at Auckland next week and hope he keeps improving but he should go well. He nearly won there last prep and is far stronger now.”
Last night’s win took Man Of Action’s record to one win and three placings from seven starts, his $5130 stake boosting his bankroll to $11,295 for one of Lincoln Farms’ largest partnerships.
The group includes many of the Christchurch owners who enjoyed success with Lincoln Farms’ Beaudiene Western, who was sold for big money to Perth in late 2018 - Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Michael Brerton, Marilyn Brown, Brian Rabbitt and his sister Margaret and the 23-strong Green Machine Syndicate, all Marist rugby mates.
Also joining Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street among the partners are the Chissos and Wack syndicate comprising Mangawhai brothers Duncan, John and Dave Chisholm and their golfing mate Warwick Orr, all of whom share in the fun of racing Man Of Action’s half brother Make Way.
Man Of Action, by champion stallion Bettor’s Delight, is an all Woodlands Stud product being the fifth foal of it’s successful broodmare Grace Way.
Her four earlier progeny were Three Ways (17 wins), Forgotten Highway (7 wins), Shanway (6 wins) and Make Way (13 wins) who are all racing successfully in Australia.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.58pm
“Drawn out wide makes it tough over 1700 metres but he’s been making his own luck. He’s not brilliant out but if he pushes on to be handy he’s got to be a big chance again. He needs to be up there on the pace or he doesn’t try too hard.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.57pm
“You can’t fault what Sugar Ray’s been doing lately, and he’s been getting out with them, so he has to be a serious chance from the inside.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.57pm
“Kev and Sugar Ray are pretty much on a par. Kev never goes a bad race, he’s just such a professional.”
Race 7: Johnny Lincoln
8.23pm
“He’s been racing too keenly but he won’t pull this time. We’ve got a different bit on him so Maurice will have him under control.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.23pm
“He’ll need to get stronger and you couldn’t see him beating Fugitive from the outside of the arm.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.48pm
“It will be interesting to see what she can do from a good draw - she’s got some speed and if she holds up early she’ll get a good trip. But she, too, needs to get stronger.”