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
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
4.59pm
“He’s racing well and I can’t fault him. The opposition is stronger this time but I can’t see why he won’t go another good race.”
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
5.59pm
“She’s a good, tough mare. It depends on the trip you get in these sort of races but she loves it when they run hard and she can get some of the money.”
Race 3: Ultimate Cullect
5.59pm
“We haven’t had a lot of time to assess her yet. From the one drive I’ve had on her she doesn’t strike me as a sit-sprinter. But if they go hard, hopefully she’ll get home well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.57pm
“It’s a “brutal” race but she’s drawn to get a suck along and hopefully she can last well enough for a cheque.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.29pm
“There are a few in there that are better than him but he has a handicap advantage and, if he gets a good trip, he could get some of it. He steps well and his driver reckoned he would have won last week if he’d got the run at the right time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.23pm
“I can’t imagine him being beaten - they’d have to knock him over. He’s very fast and in case he has to move quickly early we’ll use the shorteners. I can’t see any problem with him going left-handed - he’s probably better that way.”
Race 11: Rivergirl Bella
9.54pm
“She’s honest and will try hard.”
