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Larry Lincoln toying with his rivals last start. PHOTO: Dan Costello.

Second row draws make it harder but Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln can earn cheques

Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln have both drawn the second row at Albion Park on Tuesday but trainer Al Barnes still labels them good each way chances.

Man Of Action is on the quick back-up after running a brave third last Thursday when he sat parked on a 1:54.4 mile rate and was still punching at the line.

The consistent gelding finished only 4.7 metres from winner Notorious, running good closing sectionals of 55.89 and 27.86.

“He’s pretty tough,” says Barnes. “He’ll handle as much as we throw at him.

“It’s a pretty even field but he’s up to those horses. He shouldn’t be too far off them when they settle and will be running on.

“If they get a little luck both he and Larry Lincoln could bob up and win.”

Larry Lincoln, who humbled a rating 51 to 55 field last week, starts one race later in a 53 to 60 race, the sole runner on the second line with the early defection of Jay Dee Be Rollin.

Larry Lincoln scored his third win from only five starts in Queensland on October 30, driver Hayden Barnes gradually working his way to the lead before sprinting clear in the home stretch.

He looked to have plenty in reserve in clocking a 1:54.1 mile rate, seven metres clear of his nearest rival.

Barnes says having discovered Larry is best driven more quietly, his son Hayden was likely to come off the markers and bide his time.

“There’s a bit of speed in the race, with quite a few go-forward horses, so they’ll be running.

“It’s a very even race. Rocks Or Diamonds is flying and Remember Me Now is going better than his form reads but Larry will be competitive and I think he can earn a cheque. He’s going really well and keeps improving.

“I think he’ll be close enough to come with one closing shot at them.”

Man Of Action races at 6.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Man Of Action races at 6.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Larry Lincoln races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Larry Lincoln races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm

“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”

Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm

“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”

Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm

“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”

Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm

“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”

Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm

“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”

Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm

“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm

“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”

Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm

“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”

Whales Harness