Stand no problem for Riverman Sam

Punters might have a question mark beside Riverman Sam (American Ideal) at Cambridge on Thursday night because he is having his first standing start – but not harness racing trainer Ray Green.

The way Riverman Sam began from behind the tapes at the Pukekohe workouts last Friday gave Green plenty of confidence that the horse will continue his excellent form in the seventh race.

RIVERMAN SAM WORKOUT REPLAY

“He stepped really well at the workouts last Friday when he qualified from a stand. He’s a nice, sensible horse and I can’t imagine him mucking it up.”

Drawn one, from where he begins on Thursday, Riverman Sam hit his hopples smartly to lead his 2500 metre heat and gamely hold off the smart up-and-comer Romeo Shard by half a head, closing in 57.6 and 26.9.

Riverman Sam takes on a higher graded field than he has beaten in his last two starts but Green believes he will be very competitive.

“H’s quite a nice pacer and being up against a few handy horses will give us a line on where he’s heading.”

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by Barry Lichter, reprinted with permission from Lincoln Farms