Man Of Action (4) rated 1:54.1 when grabbed in the last stride by Jive (3) on his Brisbane debut. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Quinella Man draws to continue his sweet run of form at Albion Park on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 19 October 2020
Expect last week’s all-the-way winner Man Of Action to fill a quinella spot again when he backs up at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Lincoln Farms’ consistent four-year-old leaves from the same four hole that he used to such great effect last Tuesday when he blasted to an easy lead and staved off late challenges from Our Balou and Soho Tsunami.
Trainer Al Barnes says with such brilliant gate speed Man Of Action will have earned plenty of respect so he can’t see him not running first or second.
“He’ll earn a cheque from four but Soho Tsunami will be a big danger. He’ll get a good trip on our back.”
Soho Tsunami, who pipped Man Of Action right on the line two starts back, was the eye-catching finisher last Tuesday, coming from well back with a big late surge.
While he was forced to go back from a wide gate last week, this time he starts from the pole where he will get every chance.
“But our bloke will be in the money again. He’s come through the race really well and is in a good routine now.
“It’s great for the owners to see him race so consistently.”
Man Of Action had only a neck on Soho Tsunami last week but coming back in distance from 2138 metres to 1660 metres will play into his hands.
He rated 1:54.1 in his first run in the state - faster than Soho Tsunami has run - and is a lot fitter now, says Barnes.
Man Of Action races at 7.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
