
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.
Larry Lincoln races at 7.17pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went better last time when third. She tries hard but doesn’t win out of turn and there look to be a few here that are better than her.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.32pm
“He’s been racing well and won two nice stakes at Manawatu so we can’t complain. But he’s up in grade and, even with a head start, I anticipate horses like Little Spike and The Surfer would be much too good for him here.”

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Whats Up The Hill
6.29pm
“We had to change his sulky on the track just before the start of the race when the hub collapsed on one of the wheels. The replacement was a bit short and he was touching the wheels in the running. And when Paramount Lady came off his back and swished round him at the 400, he tried to go with her and didn’t have the ringcraft to stay down trotting. Apart from that I thought he went super.”
Race 8: Lincoln La Moose
9.23pm
“He was a certainty beaten last start at Cambridge but how could he beat these horses who are far higher graded? It once again shows just what a shortage of horses we have in the north. He’ll just have to go round to drop points.”