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
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
