
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.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.”
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.45pm
“He’s always had ability, he’s just needed to be inspired. But he’s starting to get the idea and it’s not a big field this week. He’s getting money every week and is an each-way chance again.”
Race 5: Jessie Lincoln
7.11pm
“She got home better than anything last week and that was her first run for a while so you’d expect she’ll improve on that.”
Race 5: Omaha Lincoln
7.11pm
“He put in a couple of steps last week, reaching for his hopples. But we’ve pulled his gear up a bit tighter and hopefully that will fix that. You could argue he’s the best horse in the race but I wouldn’t say he stands over them as he’s still very green, and has a lot to learn, and that might hold him up a little bit. But he’s certainly a good winning chance.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“I thought he went pretty well first-up. He did a lot of work early and should improve with the run.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.37pm
“You can’t condemn her on last week’s run (when she broke) but this is a very strong race.”

