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
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Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
Ray: Put the line through Johnny’s last run - it was a walk-fest and he copped it late
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Lincoln Downs, Lincoln’s Spice, Sammy Lincoln (not starting), Johnny Lincoln, Tyson, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Leo Lincoln, Kevin Kline, The Rascal.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
