Jury still out on Man Of Action but Auckland performance on Friday night will reveal more

Trainer Ray Green admits he still hasn’t been able to thoroughly assess Man Of Action’s true ability but says the horse will have to lift his game at Auckland on Friday night.

The three-year-old did as expected at Cambridge five days ago, leading and winning for Zachary Butcher, but Green says with the run he got, he should really have cleared out and gapped his rivals.

Instead Man Of Action got home by only three-quarters of a length over Delightful Catherine recording a sedate mile of 1:59.1.

“I haven’t sussed him out yet. He’s a lovely pacer, big and strong, but the ones he beat the other night weren’t much chop.

“He had the trip and nobody bothered him but Zac said when he pulled the plugs it was as if the horse said: ‘Oh, yeah’ and seemed to be waiting for the others. It wasn’t until he gave him a couple of stripes with the whip that he responded.

“I didn’t think he was that impressive but he might just be one of those horses who don’t try too hard when they’re being attacked. He might be better off racing off the pace.

“We’ll see how he goes on Friday. He could beat them again but I couldn’t label him.”

Another indicator to approach Man Of Action’s chances with caution is the fact Butcher has opted to drive race rival Mimi E Coco for trainer Steve Telfer, with Andre Poutama replacing him.

While Butcher will just be keeping the seat warm for his dad David, who was involved in the spectacular pile-up at Cambridge last week, Mimi E Coco has excellent winning credentials from the ace.

The Art Major - Molly Darling filly hasn’t raced for two and a half months when fifth at Auckland, collared late by Some Do after leading, but she looked primed when dead-heating with in-form stablemate Cruzee Mach in a workout at Pukekohe on Tuesday.

Classie Reactor … needs to get cover.Reactor to be saved for one run

With Butcher opting for Cruzee Mach in the eight race, Poutama will also drive Classie Reactor for Green, whose instructions will be crucial.

Classic Reactor ruined his chances at Cambridge last week when he became very fired up for Butcher.

“He over-raced badly. Zac tried to restrain him, and couldn’t, so he had no choice but to let him roll on to the lead and he had nothing left at the finish.

“Once he gets fired up, he’s off, and there’s no stopping him, you can’t get him in behind anything.

“I’ve looked at some of his races down south and he strikes me as a horse who can’t burn the candle at both ends, not many can.

“He’s obviously not a tough horse. I think he’ll be a much better proposition if he’s saved for one run - and he’s got the speed to excel doing that.

“He’s not a horse who needs a strong pace, he just needs a suck along, so he’s doing nothing ’til the business end.”

Green says he wouldn’t like to see Poutama trying to leave the gate and lead with Classie Reactor this time.

“If he can drop on to someone’s back early, I think that’s how he’ll run on best.”

While Classie Reactor goes better right-handed, the Auckland way, Green says the horse did nothing wrong left-handed at Cambridge.

Classic Reactor starts from five on the gate in a seven-horse field, and looks better placed than last week with a lower rating 55 to 59 spread.

He has four last start winners drawn inside him but could spring a surprise with luck in the running.