Unlucky Sam simply should be too classy at Shepparton on Friday night, wide draw and all

Simply Sam had a virtual no-race at Ballarat last week but Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is expecting him to win at Shepparton on Friday night.

Not even the extreme outside draw dents Green’s confidence for the 1690 metre sprint.

“The draw’s no worry as he always gets back. And it’s only a small field.

“He’s the class horse of the field - there won’t be anything like him in there.”

The race, for rating 65 to 79 horses, has drawn a moderate line-up and Green doesn’t believe the short trip will disadvantage Simply Sam either.

“He’s got a lot of speed and he should win. He’ll be a bit tighter, though he was in good shape going into last week’s race.”

Simply Sam never had a chance to show his wares in the Holloway Classic, snookered four deep, in a race still subject to an investigation by Victorian stewards.

Even though the winner Captain Ravishing scorched over his last 800 metres in an unheard of 52.8 and 400 in 25.1, the overall time for the 2200 metres was only a 1:59.2 mile rate after an early dawdle.

“It wasn’t much of a race for us at all,” Green said.

Best of Simply Sam’s rivals on Friday looks to be the sole second row runner, Queensland visitor Dangerzone, winner of seven of his 17 starts but only seventh in the Queensland Derby.

The others claim only country wins in their form lines:

* Former Kiwi High Flying Harry has won only two of his eight starts in Australia, both at Shepparton.

* Harness MIllions winner Aladdin has two Charlton wins to his credit and one at Mildura.

* Villacci has raced 26 times since his last win at Bendigo a year ago and

* Ozzie Joy’s form has been at Cobram, Mildura and Swan Hill.

Shepparton is a 1000 metre left-handed track, with a 200 metre home straight.

Simply Sam races at 11.29pm NZ time at Shepparton on Friday night.