Man Of Action lives up to his name - his blazing gate speed a good weapon for Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 13 October 2020
Trainer Al Barnes is hoping he can get a few more horses like Man Of Action from Lincoln Farms after his gutsy all-the-way win at Albion Park today.
In just his third start in Queensland, Man Of Action showed a torrent of gate speed to claim the front and lead all the way at the good odds of $6.
“He’s just the right type of horse to race here,” said Barnes. “He has gate speed and a bit of heart.
“And he’s honest, so he’s going to do a good job here.”
Man Of Action won only twice in New Zealand from 19 starts but he was a consistent placegetter, form which he is already franking in Brisbane.
Man Of Action fights bravely to stave off Our Balou and the fast-finishing Soho Tsunami.At his first start he led until one stride from home and at second time of asking he was held up in the trail by the weakening leader before powering home for second.
Today, driver Hayden Barnes took bad luck out of play when he put the accelerator down out of the gate and easily crossed the three horses inside him.
“That’s where you’ve got to be at the moment with the way the track’s playing. They’re just not winning from the back.”
Man Of Action got away with relatively sedate sectionals, running only 57.1 for his last 800 and 29.2 for the 400, but his fast 27.9 third quarter took his rivals out of play.
And with the mile rate for the 2138 metres only 1:58.3, it made it hard for the late closers to catch him, parked runner Our Balou holding second, a neck away, with a head to the fast-finishing Soho Tsunami.
“It was a nice win and Hayden was happy, he said the horse put in well.
“He’ll go through the grades and win his share here.”
That will be good news to the big group which races the four-year-old which includes John and Lynne Street, the Chissos & Wack Syndicate, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Michael Brereton, Marilyn Brown, Margaret Rabbitt, the Green Machine Racing Syndicate and Athenry Syndicate.
* Resuming stable star Northview Hustler has drawn badly, one from the outside in Saturday night’s seventh race, with state champion Colt Thirty One outside him.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.55pm
“She needed the run last week. Even though she galloped in the score-up, her manners are definitely improving as she didn’t pull in the running. She’ll be sharper this week so hopefully she’ll pace away and get the job done. It looks a pretty even field.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
7.18pm
“He only battled away last start and Fergie said he wasn’t really on the bit at the back of the field. He’s been racing for a while and might be a bit fatigued. The outside draw doesn’t help either and Soul Artist was very impressive winning last time.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She hasn’t got a lot of speed but she tries hard so the best spot for her might be in front, rolling along. That said, her closing sectionals (57.8, 27.9) were the best in the race last time. We couldn’t get one of the Sharpe boys so we’ve had to settle for Frank Phelan. She’s an each-way chance with Andy (Sharpe) the one to beat on Commander Lincoln.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.21pm
“We’ve thrown him in the deep end, but it was either that or trial. He’s been going OK but he’ll need the run for sure.”
Race 2: Spiritual Bliss
5.21pm
“She won’t be completely out of it, she’s better than people think. The inside second row draw isn’t ideal, and luck will obviously play a part, but I think she’ll be competitive.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
5.57pm
“She was always going to need the run last time as it was her first for a long time. She’ll improve off that. She’s plenty fast enough but needs to get fitter.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
5.57pm
“We found he had a bit of a virus after he last raced so had to ease up on him. He’ll be a little short (on fitness) but his class should carry him through. He is vulnerable with his behaviour at the moment but he’s only got to get round without any silliness and I can’t see how they can beat him.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
6.24pm
“He’s racing super and they’ll know he’s there. He’s trained on well since his Metro Final win. He races tough and at Auckland they have to be tough now.”
