Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street presents the spoils of one of Simply Sam’s wins to Robert Best, one of many in the partnership.
Sam joins the overseas drain - the maths were simple, racing him here no longer added up
By Barry Lichter • 8 March 2024
Simply Sam is the latest pacer sold to Australia because the dwindling population of horses in the north now sees him forced to race against the best in the country.
The five-year-old joins the recently exported Frankie Major and Lincoln River as Lincoln Farms makes the tough decisions on what is best for its own operation and its racing partners.
“He’s in a grade now where he has to run against the big guns,” says business manager Ian Middleton.
“He’s a little boy running against $1 million earners and, while he’s shown he’s capable of running placings, he can’t beat them.”
Middleton says it’s a sad state of affairs when no suitable races can be found here for a rating 63 horse.
In Sydney, however, where he will join the stable of Robbie Morris, there will be ample opportunities for him to earn good prizemoney for his new owners.
Middleton says the enjoyment from racing the horse here has dwindled for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and their partners Kim Miller, Robert and Donna Best, Priscilla Edmunds, the Red and Blue Syndicate and the Green Machine Racing Syndicate.
Maurice McKendry drove Simply Sam in four of his seven wins.It’s been 16 starts and more than six months since the horse won and in recent weeks it’s become apparent things are only getting worse.
In his last start at Auckland, Simply Sam raced bravely for third but was never going to be competitive with Mach Shard (R100, $644,078) or Self Assured (R120, $2,301,394). And three starts back he did well to chase home top four-year-olds Merlin (R101, $584,764) and Sooner The Bettor.
When the horse ran fifth in the Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup on New Years Eve, he was up against topliners Don’t Stop Dreaming, Old Town Road, Akuta and Bach.
“We’re doing what’s financially best for our owners,” says Middleton.
“And it’s an ideal time for us to sell. We have lots of young horses coming through the system.”
Simply Sam (American Ideal - Simply Stunning) raced 44 times, his consistency evident with seven wins, six seconds, 10 thirds and six fourths for $111,939 in stakes.
His best season came as a three-year-old, when he won six races, including a hat-trick at Auckland, and a win at Shepparton when on a Victoria Derby campaign.
More news in Harness
Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
3.16pm
“He’s a work in progress. He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
4.38pm
“We drove her more quietly last time and she finished very well. She got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank. Ideally she’ll be driven like that again.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
5.33pm
“He had his legs taken right out from under him on the first turn last time. He’s racing very well and should be in the money again for sure.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
5.33pm
“We’ve scratched him. He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”
