Simply Sam is the class horse of the field at Shepparton, says trainer Ray Green.
Unlucky Sam simply should be too classy at Shepparton on Friday night, wide draw and all
By Barry Lichter • 14 September 2022
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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
