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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 trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm

“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”

Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm

Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”

Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm

“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”

Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm

“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”

Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm

“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”

Race Images - Harness