Just Wing It (4) and stablemate Phil Bromac parading before their last start clash at Auckland.
Little fish are sweet so take the bait with Just Wing It - hook, line and sinker
By Barry Lichter • 4 March 2019
The odds will be very short but it’s hard to see Just Wing It beaten at Cambridge on Wednesday night.
Just Wing It was deep in the red when he had his first start for Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green at Auckland on February 22 after some eye-catching workouts.
But after looping the field at the mile to lead, and looking home early in the stretch, he was nailed in the last 30 metres by Sheffield Sparky and went under by half a neck.
Green put that down to the horse having his first start for more than four months and, with the run under his belt, is not expecting any similar late fade on Wednesday.
“He had to do a bit of work and still nearly won it so on that run he’s got to be a pretty good shot this time,’’ says Green.
“He’s trained on all right, it’s not a great field and you wouldn’t think from four that he’d have to do as much work.
“He’s no superstar but he’ll win races.’’
Owner Merv Butterworth sent Just Wing It to Green late last year after he’d run two excellent placings from only five starts with Michael Purdon, chasing home Rupert Of Lincoln at Cambridge and Power Dreaming at Auckland when he paced 2:42.7.
With a tendency to get on a knee, Green races the horse with one spreader and driver Zachary Butcher reported at Auckland he didn’t hear the horse hit once.
“If he doesn’t win next time, he’ll win the time after,” Green said that night.
Stablemate Phil Bromac and Brent Mangos’ Catch The Dream are the only other horses in the field with any placed form, so there are precious few betting options for punters.
But Green believes Phil Bromac can be in the finish as well.
“He’s not as good as the other horse but he’s very honest and he actually trained quite well this week.
“He should be right in the hunt even from the outside of the gate.’’
Phil Bromac was in the same race as Just Wing It last time and, despite enjoying a perfect sit in the running line, finished three and a half lengths behind him in fourth place.
More news in Harness
Al on today’s demolition: What will Trojan do when he’s fully fit and stops waiting for them?
Ants: Make Way ‘won with a leg in the air’ - and there’s plenty more in store
The incredible hulk Governor’s Bay steps out at Auckland on Friday with Ray only guessing
More tests for Zealand Star after sudden lameness baffles Green
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ant’s comments
Thursday night at Penrith
Race 4: Vasari
9.33pm NZ time
“He’s been going good races from bad draws and, if he can lead from one, he’ll be awfully hard to beat.’’
Race 6: Make Way
10.33pm NZ time
“He seems back to his best again. He’s really bright in himself and is bouncing around. He had an easy time for a while with his cough, and it’s possible he’ll need the run, but he’s not far away and from the front he’d be hard to beat.’’
Alistair’s comments
Friday at Albion Park
Race 3: Trojan Banner
4.57pm NZ time
“The draw is horrible and makes it very tough for him. The horse in front of him is a slug off the gate and if we follow him we could end up three or four deep. At least over 2138 metres you have a little time up your sleeve. You can grab hold, pop off, give them a little breather in the second quarter, then take it as it comes. He has improved greatly since his last run but he’s still not at his peak and I’m reluctant to pressure him too much second-up by looping the field.’’
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Just Wing It
“If he can land a good trip (from five) there’s no reason why he can’t pay another dividend. He’s gone three honest races so far. The winner of his race last week (Benson Boys) ran 2:40 and they don’t go much faster than that so to run on for third was a good effort.”
Race 5: Governor’s Bay
“I like the horse, he’s got the raw ability to win a race or two up here. He blew like hell after his workout on Saturday which tells me he tried hard and he’s a bit porky. He’s put on a lot of weight in a couple of weeks. It’s his first time right handed on Friday and I’ll be running him with pull down blinds after he knocked off at the trials.’’
Race 9: Hilary Barry
“Mark Purdon’s monsters aren’t there which gives everyone else a chance but she’ll find it tough from the draw. Unless she’s very lucky it’s not a good scenario. If Andrew goes forward and uses her petrol it will be hard and if he goes back she’ll get nothing.’’
