Man Of Action and Zachary Butcher striding out in training at Pukekohe. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Improving Man Of Action deserves his reward and looks well placed on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 11 July 2019
A small field and a better draw could be enough to get the improving Man Of Action home at Auckland on Friday night.
The little half brother of Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old Make Way, who has won eight races this season, here and in Australia, is looking to get the first notch on his belt.
But the way he’s been racing for trainer Ray Green, running placings with not a lot of luck, suggests the minute things go his way he’ll be in the winners’ circle.
- Three starts back he was parked for the last 1400 metres and still battled bravely for third to Happy Place.
- Two starts back he was trapped three deep on the markers and had to make a sharp run four and five wide round the home bend, coming up just a neck short to Ideal Agent and
- Last week, from seven on the arm, he was trapped wide round the first bend and forced to keep working three wide for the first 800 metres before finding the death then the one-one. He mounted a strong late run to be beaten just half a length and a head by Armed Reactor and Vespa.
“It’s not been easy for him so far and we’re just hoping for a better trip this week,” says Green.
“You can’t fault his form - it’s only a maiden field and he’s got the best form in the race.”
Green has decided to hold off on fitting pull down blinds to the horse, a change he considered last week when driver Zachary Butcher reported the horse felt like he would win by anything turning in.
“We don’t feel he’s cheating. He’s just on his way up and he’s getting stronger.”
Hardest for Man Of Action to beat could be Tony Herlihy’s debutant Russley Rush who starts alongside Man Of Action. He dispatched race rival Ocean Beach in style at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday.
Copy That … just needs a little luck from the second row to win his third race on end. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Lincoln Farms’ only other starter on Friday night is fellow two-year-old Copy That in the fifth race, when he will be having his first start for Merv and Meg Butterworth.
Copy That looked to have the job ahead of him drawn the second row, with Zeuss Bromac drawn the pole, but Zachary Butcher’s smart two-year-old was withdrawn today.
And that leaves Copy That needing only a little luck to notch his third win on end.
The American Ideal colt has shown a rare turn of speed in his recent wins and has been on his best behaviour, inexplicable gallops seemingly a thing of the past.
“He trained well on his own on Saturday and seems to be holding up well,” says Green.
“He’s at the mercy of the horse drawn in front of him (Simon). If he goes back, it will make it hard for Copy That but he has a lot of ability, more than the rest of them.”
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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.”
