HOSED OFF: It’s been a frustrating 12 months for Simply Sam and his connections.
Simply Sam over tie-up issue and ready to get things back on track at Cambridge
By Barry Lichter • 4 July 2023
Given his proven ability, it’s hard to reconcile how it’s been just on 12 months since Simply Sam won a race in New Zealand.
But trainer Ray Green is hoping the horse’s run of back luck has come to an end and he can now show his true worth, starting at Cambridge on Thursday night.
When Simply Sam scored at Auckland last July it was his third win on end and gave the Lincoln Farms camp the confidence to launch a derby campaign in Australia.
But while Simply Sam won a lead-up race at Shepparton and was placed in his Victoria Derby heat, he was no match for the likes of Leap To Fame in the final.
On his return, Simply Sam’s newly developed coltish behaviour had become unacceptable so Green had no option but to geld him. Then, when his condition fell right away, Green sent him for a good spell.
Four months later Simply Sam was back and, while not winning, he started to turn in some eye-catching runs.
When he last raced at Cambridge on June 2, however, Sam was sent out a warm favourite but he had trouble even catching the field from his 25 metre handicap. And when driver Zachary Butcher tried to follow eventual winner Fernleigh Cash round the field, Simply Sam went nowhere, Butcher later reporting to stewards the horse never travelled at any stage.
Blood tests revealed Simply Sam had tied up.
“He seems back to normal again, his bloods are good,” Green said today.
“It’s been one thing after another with him but hopefully we’re back on track now.”
Green had hoped to trial Simply Sam last Friday but with no opposition was forced to train him earlier instead.
“He’s never a flashy worker but he’s been training well and, while we’re stabbing in the dark a bit, I’m sure he’ll be competitive. He’s definitely up with those others.”
Best of the others include the only three higher rated runners in the race, New York Minute (R70), Rough And Ready (R68) and Montana DJ (R65).
And while Green says Simply Sam will improve with the run, he could quickly negate his second row draw by following through go-forward runner I’llavabubbles.
Green’s frustration with the handicapping system is instantly obvious when asked how he thinks stablemate and race rival Lincoln River will fare with the rise in class on Thursday.
Lincoln River was a gutsy last-start winner at Auckland in a rating 40 to 45 race when he sat parked for most of the way. But on Thursday, with a paucity of similarly graded runners, he is forced to contest a rating 50 to 70 event.
“There’s just no flexibility in the handicapping system. I guess we’ll find out more about him this week. It’s hard to know how he’ll go but he’s drawn one so he should go another good race.”
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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.
