Go first class with Just Wing It - the workout form says he’ll fly past moderate lot

Lincoln Farms’ new boy Just Wing It has the draw to make an instant impression at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

The Art Major four-year-old is having this first start for trainer Ray Green and first race for four months but he has been trialling like a winner at Pukekohe and meets an ordinary line-up in the second race.

Since joining Lincoln Farms in December Just Wing It has not put a foot wrong, winning both his workouts with ease.

On February 9 driver Zachary Butcher eased him back at the start, manoeuvred into the one-one a lap out and took control on the home turn, scoring untouched by three-quarters of a length.

Last Saturday he showed gate speed to lead from two, took a trail, moved out to park 600 metres from home and sprinted clear turning on, Butcher sitting quietly to the line and improving his time by two seconds.

Green knows the horse is likely to start favourite on the strength of those two workouts.

“But we’re stabbing in the dark really. We don’t know how good he is yet. He’ll win one soon, whether it’s this week I don’t know.

“He’ll definitely improve with the run because he hasn’t raced for so long but it looks like a weak field and he’s drawn well in four so he’ll be hard to beat.’’

In five starts for Michael Purdon last year, Just Wing It showed promise, recording two placings, but was rested in October after being checked into a break and having to be treated for a cut pastern.

He looks to have stepped up another level since being sent to Lincoln Farms by owner Merv Butterworth.

David Butcher had to put the brakes on early last week from Phil Bromac’s second row draw.Stablemate Phil Bromac starts from gate three but with his rough gait he’s unlikely to be able to match Just Wing It for early speed.

The three-year-old brought three Cambridge placings to his Auckland debut last week but from his outside second row draw never got into the race.

“It was a big step up for him anyway, going 2:42 after running 2:49 at Cambridge.

“David (Butcher) wasn’t unhappy with the way he went but at this stage it looks like the other one is better.’’

Zealand Star (4) behind the gate at Pukekohe. On Friday he switches to a stand with Tony Herlihy at the helm.Standing start query

Green gives both Recco Lover and Zealand Star a chance in the ninth race, against only five rivals, but quite rightly points out everything hinges on the start.

It will be Recco Lover’s first go from a stand and only the second try for Zealand Star, who muffed the start at Wyndham a year ago.

“Recco has trialled several times from a stand and hasn’t been bad. I don’t know if he’ll be brilliantly away but he should step reasonably well. I don’t anticipate any problems with him.

“Zealand Star you’ll have to take on trust. We’re in uncharted waters with him but we’ve got the best driving him in Tony Herlihy.’’

Zealand Star couldn’t get away from moving start last week when with, Todd MacFarlane in the bike, he lay in, paced roughly and galloped going into the first turn.

Despite losing valuable ground, Zealand Star paced the second fastest last 800 metres in the race, 56.2, to finish just nine lengths from winner Jack’s Legend.

His opposition on Friday night is well down on that race and with only six rivals his sit-sprint style will be helped.

In his previous start, Zealand Star clocked a track record mile rate of 1:54.8 in winning over 1700m metres at Cambridge and given a similar smother he has the speed to finish over the top of them all.

“I also think Recco Lover will be very competitive in that field,’’ says Green.

“He’s better than he’s shown in the past and won easily last week (albeit against a much easier field).’’

Recco Lover’s chances will be boosted if he can step and lead, from where he has been very potent in the past.