Ray Green, pictured being interviewed by Trackside TV’s Craig “The Whale” Thompson, is doing a top job with problem horses.
Just Wing It adds to Green’s impeccable score card for Merv - but he has a new challenge
By Barry Lichter • 7 March 2019
He did it first with Steam Punk.
Then it was Zealand Star.
Last night at Cambridge he added Just Wing It to the list.
And now Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green has been set a new challenge by leading Australian owner Merv Butterworth.
It’s all about turning non-winners into winners - and in the last few months Green has coached Steam Punk to a win, transformed the once nervous Zealand Star into a record-breaker, and nurtured one-time knee-knocker Just Wing It into a $1.40 winner for the punters.
No sooner had Steam Punk been put on a plane to Australia last weekend than another Butterworth problem child appeared on the doorstep at Pukekohe in the form of southerner Governor’s Bay.
And from what Green has gleaned from southern horseman Brent Barclay this could be his greatest test.
“You could say Brent wasn’t glowing in his praise of the horse,’’ says Green.
“In fact he said he didn’t particularly like him. He hangs badly and they’ve tried to correct him but he’s apparently a very difficult horse.’’
Governor’s Bay winning for Dexter Dunn at Addington last March before being bought by Merv Butterworth. PHOTO: Race Images.Butterworth was quick to buy the five-year-old from Tom Bagrie’s stable last March, impressed by his tough performances at Addington when he won twice then sat packed for the last lap and was only just nutted.
But after being sent south to his southern trainer Brett Gray, Goverenor’s Bay disappointed and in his last three starts with Lauren Pearson managed only a fourth and two thirds.
Butterworth had planned to send the horse to Australia but he’s no doubt hoping Green’s Pukekohe clinic can diagnose his problems first.
“We’ll see how we go,’’ says Green. “He’s a very big, tall horse, he must be verging on 17 hands.’’
Green’s pre-race assessment of Just Wing It proved pretty much on the mark last night as the horse, backed as if unbeatable, got home by only a neck after enjoying a one-one sit behind stablemate Phil Bromac for the last lap.
“He’s no superstar but he was good enough to get the job done.
“It wasn’t a wonderful field though and I’m not sure where we’ll go from here.’’
Just Wing It hangs on to beat Ball Of Art, outer, and Catch The Dream at Cambridge last night. PHOTO: FokusPhotography.Just Wing It clocked a sedate 2:45.8 for the mobile 2200 metres, the race developing into only a sprint home with the closing 800 in 57.9 and 400 in 28.2.
Green fielded a call from Butterworth straight after the race but, being in charge of the horse, didn’t have time to discuss the options for Just Wing It.
“He was pretty happy. Merv loves his winners. If he was mine I’d be pushing the horse to Australia straight away as with our handicapping system you just don’t know where you are.’’
Green says New Zealand should adopt the new handicapping system being introduced in Victoria where horses aren’t penalised so heavily for each win and points earned correlate to stakes won.
“And we should be eliminating the handicappers’ discretion like they are doing over there. People shouldn’t have to guess. It should all be black and white.’’
Just Wing It incurred seven rating points to 55 for winning last night and earned just $5755.
More news in Harness
Hubby nearly in the dog box after Tyson delivers Debbie a Golden Gait knockout blow
Debbie lands Golden draw at last in her bid to give Sampson a haircut at the Park
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.22pm
“She got home really well on the second night at Manawatu and gets a good draw here. There’s not much exposed form in the race so it’s hard to know how she compares but she’ll win one.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
7.01pm
“I thought she went super again last week with no luck and we’ve got a decent draw for a change so you have to like her chances. She’s been getting in on the corners, so we’ve added a Murphy blind.”
Race 3: Tyson
7.01pm
“I was impressed by the way he hung on to Captain Sampson and Greased Lightnin last week. They’re strong sprinters and it was only a sprint up the straight. He’ll need things to go his way from six.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.01pm
“It was his first run for a while last week and he probably needed another trial. But we thought we might as well race him to set him up for this week. The outside draw of eight doesn’t help.”
Race 9: Lincoln Lover
9.55pm
“He’s not as sharp as our other two but he’s a game little bugger. He’ll win races for sure.”
Race 9: Prince Lincoln
9.55pm
“I thought he went really well last week. He’d had only one trial and was a bit fresh so it was understandable that he got tired the last bit. That will tighten him up and I’m expecting him to race well. He’s trained on well since.”
Race 9: Johnny Lincoln
9.55pm
“Prince has the wood on Johnny but he’ll still go well. He found the line well last week. It was his first run for a while too, and his first as a gelding.”
