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.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
