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
By Barry Lichter • 8 January 2020
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.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.”
More news in Harness
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
