
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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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”

