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
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
