Consistent pacer Man Of Action looks a strong chance for Lincoln Farms on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Heavy Albion Park surface could play into the hands of unlucky Man Of Action
By Barry Lichter • 12 October 2020
Lady Luck deserted Man Of Action at Albion Park last week but the tough pacer can make amends on Tuesday on a track favouring on-pace runners.
Trainer Al Barnes expected Man Of Action to win from the trail last Tuesday but he was held up before the home turn when the leader came under pressure.
By the time he worked clear, Soho Tsunami had already sprung out of the one-one and sprinted clear. Man Of Action chased gamely but came up 1.5 metres short.
Instead of starting from a restricting second row draw, Man Of Action goes from four this time, sure to be an asset on a track which is playing against back runners after recent renovations.
“The track’s not playing real good - the surface is still very loose and heavy and nothing is making ground from the back at all,” Barnes said. “It needs to break down and compact.”
Barnes pointed to the inability of any runner to make an impression from the rear last Saturday night.
“Even the good horses are struggling. Colt Thirty One, who sat parked, could run home only in 54.9.”
Former All Stars’ pinup Turn It Up tried to improve from the back, three wide with cover, but could get no closer than third, 10 metres behind the winner.
Barnes isn’t sure if Man Of Action can cross to the lead from four - pole runner Our Friend might try to hold him out - but he’s confident the horse can earn a cheque again.
“We’ll just play the start by ear but I can’t see why he wouldn’t be hard to beat again. He’s done a treat, he’s looking well and feeling good.”
Man Of Action certainly has the ability to go faster than last week. In his Queensland debut he was pipped right on the line in a 1:54.1 mile rate for the 1660 metres, 2.3 seconds faster than Soho Tsunami ran last week.
He should be even better suited to 2138 metres this time.
In other stable news, Northview Hustler will resume from a break on Saturday night.
“I ummed and aahed about whether to start him the way the tracks’ playing because he’s a bit underdone but he can go round.”
Man Of Action races at 6.28pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
