Queensland’s big wet leaves Man Of Action well short on fitness for Albion Park today

A week of wet weather has left Man Of Action well short on fitness for today’s meeting at Albion Park which trainer Al Barnes says may not even go ahead.

Persistent rain in south and east Queensland has left many parts of the state under water and Barnes says his track at Marburg has been a bog for a week and a half.

“It’s pouring down. We’ve probably had 200ml. We had 100ml before yesterday when the rain set in and it’s been constant since.

“Man Of Action has jogged every day but he’s had a week without fast work. A lot of people will be in the same boat.

“That’s why he’s in on a Monday (poorer fields) because of his lack of fitness. We’ll use it as a fitness run and do the best we can.”

Barnes says had Man Of Action been fit and healthy today’s seventh race, with its lack of form, would have been perfect for him.

But the horse’s health has also not been the best lately, the reason he has run last in both outings since resuming from a spell, the latest on March 12 after trailing throughout.

“Before the rain we had a month of real hot and humid weather and he just didn’t handle it. His coat went right off and he was nearly dehydrated.

“For the last two weeks I’ve been working hard to turn his health around. This cooler weather will help.”

Man Of Action has drawn wide in six on the front line.

Man Of Action races at 5.49pm NZ time at Albion Park on Monday.