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
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
