Trainer Ray Green brings Just Wing It back to Lincoln Farms’ stable at Pukekohe today.
Just Wing It swoops on Pukekohe rivals like the next winner for Merv
By Barry Lichter • 9 February 2019
Just Wing It looks like being the next winner for Merv Butterworth in the Lincoln green colours after he jogged home in his first workout since joining trainer Ray Green.
Just two days after the leading Australian owner enjoyed a track record win with Zealand Star at Cambridge, Green let Just Wing It stretch his wings in a 2050 metre heat for up to rating 50 horses.
And considering he moved to Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe barn only six weeks ago it augurs well for his future that he easily accounted for his opposition.
Allowed to drop out to the rear early, driver Zachary Butcher manoeuvred the Art Major four-year-old into the one-one with a lap to run.
And when Butcher pulled him out three wide before the home turn, he quickly pounced on the leaders, getting home by three-quarters of a length, holding off a late dash by Pekeson with closing sectionals of 61 and 28.9.
Just Wing It scored a three-quarter length win in his first workout for trainer Ray Green at Pukekohe today.His overall time of 2:38.3 was nothing to write home about, the mile rate 2:04.2, but it was the way he achieved it that impressed Green.
“He’s got a bit of speed and he should win a race, and do it quite quickly.
“He steered quite well today and for a first run that was excellent.’’
Just Wing It will wear spreaders because he can hit a knee but Green says “he’s no slug.
“The more we do with him the better he seems to get.
“And he has shown a bit in the past.’’
Just Wing It, whose dam Starling left 18-race winner (Our) Blackbird, and last week’s Otaki winner The Night Hawk, previously raced from the stable of Michael Purdon. In five starts between August and October last year he recorded two thirds, clocking 2:42.7 in the second of them behind Power Dreaming at Auckland.
“I’ll give him another workout and see how he is but he’ll be at the races pretty soon.’’
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.53pm
“I was happy with his last run. He had to go back to last from the draw and when clear he ran home well. He just needs a bit of racing. He’s had only five starts, so the others have more ringcraft than him, but he could get some of it with the right trip.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
7.53pm
“She had to do too much work last time, parked for the last lap, but should get her chance from three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.26pm
“He overdid it again last week but we’re looking for some improvement on Friday. If things go his way he’s a chance to get some money but our other horse looks more likely.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
6.26pm
“He’s a lovely horse and I’m sure he’ll go another good race. He did well last week after that early break. Maurice was trying to let Greased Lightnin in but he’s a big horse who had other ideas and kept powering on. He just needs a bit of luck in the running.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
7.18pm
“He’s going honest races but he just lacked the big speed last week of horses like Greased Lightning and Seaclusion. Fergie said he had a job pulling him up. I can’t see anything beating Mantra Blue on Friday, even with a 15 metre head start, but Leo starts well and hopefully he can run a place.”
