Simply Sam has been scratched from Friday night after an abscess burst out of his heel yesterday.
Simply Sam in the wars again so the baton passes to Nirvana Franco on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 9 December 2021
Lincoln Farms’ assault at Auckland on Friday has been blunted by another injury to promising pacer Simply Sam.
Trainer Ray Green had expected Simply Sam to win the ninth race but when he brought him in from the paddock yesterday afternoon one leg had blown up and he was quite lame.
At first Green suspected it must have been a result of the injury he received when he fibrillated at Auckland at his last start, paced roughly and jumped on an ankle.
“He got a cut which we’d been treating - the pastern blew up and we didn’t want it to become infected.
“But when we got the vet today we found an abscess had blown out of his heel. It’s not a disaster and he’ll be all right.
“That might explain his gait issues in the last few weeks. It could have been brewing for a month.
“But he should be even better once this has resolved.”
Nirvana Franco … looks Lincoln Farms’ best chance on Friday night.The baton on Friday will now pass to Nirvana Franco in the third race.
The improving filly had no chance when a first-up ninth after getting back to last from an inside second row draw.
And while she made up useful ground in the run home, driver Maurice McKendry reported she was sucking wind from behind, a not uncommon complaint with mares.
Green has had her stitched up since and driver Zachary Butcher gave her a good tune-up at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday, keeping her mind on the job in front and right to the line when half a length second to American Legacy.
“She’s starting to wake up and moving to the front row this time is our best chance in the race.”
Honest stablemate Major Grace should also get her chance from two.
“Andrew (Drake) gave her a beaut trip last time but she probably wasn’t quite race fit and is still on the improve.
“She’s very honest and doesn’t do anything wrong but just lacks a yard of speed.”
Louie The Punter should get every show from two in the opening race but will be all out beating the progressive Old Town Road, winner of two of his three starts, the latest in a sub 2:40 time.
“He should still go well, especially if he can lob to the front over 1700 metres,” says Green.
Louie The Punter started out with a big handicap last start from six on the gate from where he ended up at the rear.
Driver Maurice McKendry started his run three wide from the 600 and the three-year-old kept coming, running the fastest last 800 in the race in 56.4 to finish fourth.
Bet On The Tiger … gelded. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Bet On The Tiger will be having his first race for seven weeks in the ninth race and his first since being gelded.
“Apparently the Betting Lines perform better if gelded and while he was never a nasty colt his American owners wanted him gelded.
“He’s put on a lot of weight so I’d say he’s going to need a race or two.”
Bet On The Tiger finished three lengths third behind Abhishek and Simply Sam at the workouts last Saturday.
More news in Harness
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Speedy Frisco Bay can kick-start good New Year’s Eve for Lincoln Farms on Tuesday
Ray hoping Santa comes early at Cambridge on Tuesday with strong team of seven
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Our runners this week
Friday night at Cambridge
Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Lincoln La Moose.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
3.39pm
“He’s a beautiful horse, and a quality mover, who’s finally demonstrating his ability. He’s done a lot of work and has had a good, solid build-up so he’ll cop a bit of racing now and I don’t see why he won’t be in it again.”
Race 2: Frisco Bay
3.39pm
“If you put him in front or in the breeze he over-races. He needs a run where he can relax in behind - every time he’s got a two-hole trip he’s won. He’s a bit one-dimensional in that respect but he’s got a lot of speed and, if he’d drawn better, I’d have labelled him.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lou
4.04pm
“On paper, he should be favourite. You can’t fault that last run in the Golden Gait and if he repeats that he’s the one to beat. He seems to be back to where we had him before. He’s been incredibly unlucky in a lot of his races. We don’t need good luck, we’re just looking for no bad luck.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
4.04pm
“I can’t see him beating our other two. I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until well into his three-year-old year. He’s a big, rangy, slow developing horse. We’ll race him on Tuesday then give him a bit of a break.”
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
4.04pm
“I know this is a step-up in grade, and she’s drawn the outside, but I’ve got a feeling she could be up to it. Her driver, Maurice McKendry, is very enthusiastic about her and he’s no fool. He’s been happy every time he’s sat behind her. She keeps getting better and potentially could be a high class three-year-old filly. I’m quite excited about her.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
4.30pm
“He won’t burn off any quick beginners but he showed he could hold his own from the inside when he won two starts back. He’s just got to do it without doing anything tricky. He can pace roughly, he’s not the complete package yet, but when the penny drops he’ll be a serious horse.”
Race 9: The Big Lebowski
7.17pm
“I wasn’t disappointed with his last run. It’s hard to win those races from long back marks at Cambridge - Copy That had to go a New Zealand record to do it. He’s as good as he can be at the moment but these are the best horses in commission and we’ll be grateful for what we can get.”
