Man Of Action has gate speed but won’t try to cross the pole runner on Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Rain stalls Man Of Action again so Saturday night at Albion Park is a watch only race
By Barry Lichter • 9 April 2021
If you extrapolated Man Of Action’s 8765 form line, you’d think he might run fourth at Albion Park on Saturday night.
And if he manages that, trainer Al Barnes says he’ll be very happy as the horse is still not quite at peak fitness.
“He’s improving with every run but he’ll still need the hit-out as he missed fast work on Tuesday. It rained all day Monday and Tuesday - we must have had another 100ml.”
Barnes says whereas Man Of Action’s health was originally the hold-up - he failed to handle the very high temperatures - for the last two weeks it’s been rain which has been the problem.
“We’ve had a ridiculous amount of rain and our little 650 metre track got flooded.”
Barnes says once he can train and race Man Of Action consistently he’s sure he’ll recapture his form.
“I’ve found when we can train them over two strong trips on Tuesday and Thursday and race on the Saturday it’s enough to keep them fit.
On a rain drenched Redcliffe track, Man Of Action, outer, finishes on strongly for Hayden Barnes to feature in the minor money.“But Man Of Action didn’t quite run out his second 2400 metre trip on Thursday so he’ll be in need of the race. He won’t be any worse than last week but he won’t be any better.”
At Redcliffe last Thursday, on a very rain-affected track, Man Of Action settled three back in the running line but was last at the 400 then forced four and five wide round the home bend.
His finishing burst was the best in the field and even though he ran only fifth, 11.9 metres from Bettathanideal, his closing 800 and 400 splits of 57.62 and 29.06 were second only to the winner.
“He should land in a good position from two on Saturday night,” says Barnes. “He’ll hold his position out of the gate but he won’t be able to cross the one (Ifoundthebeach) so we’ll conserve his energy for the last 400 metres.”
Man Of Action races at 8.41pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
