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
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Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
