Sam’s sure to run another top race at Hawera on Friday - and the bookies are giving you $9
By Barry Lichter • 1 February 2024
Simply Sam might be only the fifth favourite but his ability to begin swiftly is expected to take him close in Friday’s $20,000 Stratford Cup.
Bookies have opened Simply Sam at $9 and $3 for the cup on the first day of the two-day meet at Hawera, behind Village Rebel ($4.80), southern pair Smoke On The Water ($5.50) and Johnny Mac ($6) and Artisan ($7.50).
But Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green rates the consistent pacer a good winning chance, even from his 20 metre handicap, and expects him to have the measure of stablemate Lincoln River ($18).
“He’s our best shot even though he’s spotting the other horse 20 metres. We know he’s a quick beginner and he’ll pick up half that handicap pretty quickly.
“The field isn’t daunting - he’s beaten them all before - he’ll just need a little bit of luck.”
It’s a long time since Simply Sam performed poorly and his recent efforts at Auckland were in much stronger fields than he meets at Hawera.
You had to admire his grit last start when he ran on well and was best of the rest behind topliners Merlin and Sooner The Bettor in a 1:55.1 mile.
And the horses who beat him into fifth in the Group II Franklin Cup before that also included some of the very best in the country - Don’t Stop Dreaming, Old Town Road, Akuta and Bach.
With regular driver Andre Poutama away in Fiji, the reins on Simply Sam go to stable junior Monika Ranger.
“Moni is driving well and has driven him before so he has plenty going for him. I know it’s his first start on grass but I can’t see that worrying him.”
Lincoln River may be at long odds and the lowest rated horse in the field but Green doesn’t think he will be embarrassed.
“He’s capable of fronting up to them now and it’s only 2100 metres. Nathan (Delany) knows the horse well and he’ll be right in the fray if he does everything right.”
What Lincoln River has to do right the most is begin safely in his first test behind the tapes.
When tried in a standing start workout last December, Lincoln River was slow to find his straps but Green believes the addition of hopple shortneners this time will do the trick.
Lincoln River showed he was in great heart last Friday at Auckland when, as outsider of the field, he finished only a length behind up-and-coming pacers Better Knuckle Up, Escape Artist and Throwyaarmsaroundme in a 1:55.7 mile, doing plenty of early work before finding the one-one.
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Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
