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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

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm

“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”

Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm

“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm

“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”

Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm

“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm

“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”

Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm

“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”

Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm

“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”

Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm

“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”

Race Images - Harness