Man Of Action right on his game, boosting Ray’s derby prelude contingent to four

Man Of Action earned a spot alongside three of his stablemates in the Northern Derby Prelude in a fortnight with a well timed finish to win at Alexandra Park tonight.

The win was a timely one for trainer Ray Green who is determined that the vital derby lead-up is not canned through lack of numbers.

He plans to enter Man Of Action, along with tonight’s beaten runners Tommy Lincoln and Hampton Banner to ensure top colt Copy That is not left out in the cold.

The prelude has been an endangered species in recent years with an All Stars’ domination seeing only five contest the race last year, when Jesse Duke and Ultimate Sniper quinellaed the race, and seven in 2017 when Sicario and Chase Auckland filled the first two spots.

Man Of Action might not have the class of his stablemates but he continues to show marked improvement this term and looked all over a better individual when he powered home for Zachary Butcher to clock 2:42 neat for the 2200 metres.

“They went hard, which suited him,” said Butcher. “He doesn’t have the high speed to pick them up otherwise.”

Butcher also reported Man Of Action tended to be very lazy - “he knocks off on you” and he had to wake him up a little bit in the running.

Celebrations in the winners’ circle after Man Of Action’s powerful win. PHOTO: Race Images.Butcher told Green before the race that he planned to go back on Man Of Action, with several others likely to be seeking the front.

“There was no point wrestling with them and if you sit last in a small field you’re still not far off them.”

Green said not many horses had the ability to sprint twice in a race and Man Of Action was the kind of horse who, when drawn well and obligated to lead, could undo themselves.

“But he’s a much stronger horse this time in. He’s coming to it and hopefully he’ll keep improving. He’s no superstar but he’s becoming honest.

“And that family can take a bit of time to find their feet.”

By champion sire Bettor’s Delight, Man Of Action is out of the Dream Away mare Grace Way whose four earlier foals include Lincoln Farms’ Make Way (14 wins), Three Ways (17 wins), Forgotten Highway, who won six races here before being sold to Perth and Shanway (6 wins).

Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street race Man Of Action with a big list of partners including many of the Christchurch owners who enjoyed success with Beaudiene Western, who was sold for big money to Perth in late 2018 - Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Michael Brerton, Marilyn Brown, Brian Rabbitt and his sister Margaret and the 23-strong Green Machine Syndicate, all Marist rugby mates.

The Chissos and Wack syndicate comprising Mangawhai brothers Duncan, John and Dave Chisholm and their golfing mate Warwick Orr, are also among the group, not surprisingly given they also have a share in Make Way.

* Copy That might not have won tonight but both Green and driver David Butcher were very happy with his close third.

Having his first start for two months, Copy That was caught in the death seat but never flinched, finishing just 1.2 lengths from pacemaker Check In.

“I’m pretty happy with that. He’d had only two workouts and he’ll be a lot sharper in the derby prelude.”

Neither Hampton Banner (fourth) nor Tommy Lincoln (sixth) were disgraced in their event, Hampton Banner closing fast late from the back to be beaten two half necks and a nose, and Tommy Lincoln only two lengths from the winner after being savaged in the lead by the over-racing Ferritt’s Sister.