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.
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
