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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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate 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.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
