Simply Sam has John Wayne well covered at the finish tonight. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Ray: Simply Sam’s very fast but he lacks the tools for a Queensland Derby campaign
By Barry Lichter • 16 June 2022
Simply Sam once again showed his great turn of foot at Alexandra Park tonight but he will need to develop his all round game further before trainer Ray Green tests him further afield.
Thoughts of a winter campaign in Queensland have been shelved despite Simply Sam notching the third win of his career with consummate ease.
While the American Ideal three-year-old showed blistering speed to reel in the leaders in the last 150 metres, and win by two lengths going away, it’s the first part of his races that he needs to work on.
As usual, Simply Sam showed no gate speed, and was running last for driver Maurice McKendry after just 200 metres, a profile which Green says has in part KOed a tilt at next month’s Queensland Derby, a race the stable’s American Dealer won last year.
“He needs to develop gate speed to warrant taking anywhere. Brisbane is a long way to go to end up in the back half of the field.
“You need to be able to take up a position at Albion Park, where they run very fast closing sectionals, and until he improves his gate speed, he’s not going anywhere.”
Green says the fact there are a couple of very good three-year-olds in Queensland was also a factor in passing on the trip.
“He’s had only a handful of starts and hasn’t fronted up to the top three-year-olds yet.
“Last year Krug was the big talk for the derbies over there but little Dealer had beaten him several times before so I wasn’t worried about him.
“We’ll just pick away here and see where he takes us. We’ll try to develop him to the top level and target races round Christmas like the New Zealand Derby at Addington, a track that should really suit him.”
Green believes given another six months Simply Sam will be right up to competing with the best three-year-olds.
“He’s a lovely pacer and has very high speed.”
Simply Sam clocked 2:43.4 tonight, a mile rate of 1:59.5 and, coming from three back on the outer, ran considerably faster closing sectionals than the leader’s 56.4 and 27.2.
The son of Simply Stunning now boasts earnings of $28,850 from just nine starts for Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street, Kim Miller, Robert and Donna Best, Priscilla Edmunds, the Red and Blue Syndicate and the Green Machine Racing Syndicate.
More news in Harness
A Moose in his happy place is a fast Moose but programming hurdles lie ahead
Worse draw puts unlucky Tyson in better spot to win at Auckland on Friday night
Debbie Lincoln’s home stretch burst pointer of things to come; but her draw rankles on Friday
Streets’ donation raises $100,000 for charity and Timmy could be a supermarket special
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
5.33pm
“He hasn’t raced for more than four months but he’s trotting well in training and has had a couple of workouts. He steps well so if Fergie can keep him away from the others, and he slides on from the 20 metre mark, he could even lead, and that would make him the one to beat. It doesn’t take much for him to lose concentration though.”
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“He hasn’t raced for a while but should go well. He finished off his workout really well on a 26.9 quarter for a close fourth behind some good ones (Greased Lightnin, Beetastic and Diamonds Are Forever). He beat himself in his last few runs by racing too keenly but he’s capable enough.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.30pm
“She went to the line under a hold last week. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that. She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home. Joyride looks the one to beat.”
Race 3: Tyson
6.23pm
“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week. He never got the chance to get out. From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.52pm
“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.52pm
“Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray. He closed fast from the back last Friday and is better suited over 2200 metres this week.”
