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Man Of Action pacing strongly in front for Zachary Butcher at the Pukekohe trials last Saturday.

Our man’s ready for action at Cambridge on Friday night and Ray has the gear issue sorted

It should be straight to the front and see ya’ later for Man Of Action when he resumes at Cambridge on Friday night.

Drawn two in the second race, driver Zachary Butcher should have no trouble leading and dictating on the half brother to Make Way, judging by the way he’s dispatched his rivals in his last two trials and a workout at Pukekohe.

And trainer Ray Green says gear changes he’s made to the three-year-old should stop any late indiscretions from blotting his run on Friday.

Despite winning his last two trials, Man Of Action has put in short gallops 200 metres from home, before recovering to win.

But Green believes he’s had the horse’s hopples a little long.

“We’ve pulled them up a hole and and also pulled up his overcheck which should steady him up.

“On paper he looks the winner. He’s a lot stronger now than the last time he raced. He’s always had the ability but just couldn’t finish it off.”

Man Of Action last raced at Auckland in July when he led and was collared 100 metres out, and he was also close up in his three previous starts at Alexandra Park when he racked up a second and two thirds in stronger fields than he meets at Cambridge.

His biggest threat on Friday night looks to be Tony Herlihy’s Delightful Catherine, who dragged a punctured tyre after an early check last start and was held up badly turning for home in her previous start.

Classie Reactor only needs to do things right to finish in the money.Classie Reactor only needs to do things right to finish in the money.Green says he isn’t oozing in confidence with Lincoln Farms’ other runner on Friday, but says if Classie Reactor can get round safely in the fourth race, he can finish in the money.

Classic Reactor had a rough introduction to northern racing early last month when he had to work wide and hard to find the death seat at Auckland, and weakened in the stretch, eventually pacing roughly and breaking 50 metres out.

“He wasn’t 100 percent sound then but we’ve done a lot of work in that department and think we’ve rectified that.

“There are a few handy ones in there like Steve Telfer’s Parker and Ivana Flybye, but he’s got a bit of speed.

“I don’t want to send him though. I want to see him get round safely without doing anything wrong.

“He does get a knee that way round. I think he goes better right-handed which is the way he’s been trialling.

“But I’ll put a spreader on him on Friday which will help.”

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Copy Ten Four
6.19pm

“He’s better going left-handed and he only has to get round safely to be right in the fray. He’s no champion but he’s not a bad horse.”

Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.09pm

“She should lead easily and be the one to beat. She was desperately unlucky last time and she’s in good shape.”

Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.59pm

“He goes much better the Cambridge way round and, while he’s at the mercy of what they do in front of him, he just needs to see a bit of daylight to be right in it.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 3: Rivergirl Maggie
6.07pm

“It’s her first time at the Park, so you have to take that into consideration, but she’s a little trier and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her go close. She wasn’t strong enough early to go on with but she’s strengthened up now.”

Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
7.10pm

“He’s as good as anything in the field on ability and he’s in the zone at the moment. All he needs is a trip and he’s better drawn in three this time so should go well.”

Race Images - Harness