Angelic result for Debbie but shadows rob Linda’s supporters in first two-year-old race

Shadows on the racetrack robbed punters who made Lincoln Linda favourite in the north’s first two-year-old race of the season at Alexandra Park.

While delighted to win the race with Angelic Copy, trainer Ray Green says the result could well have been different had the race been run later in the night.

Green, who trains the filly with Nathan Delany, thought Lincoln Linda would win on Friday night, based on her unbeaten record at the workouts and trials, and it all seemed good when she charged out of the gate from wide out and looked in for an easy lead.

But Lincoln Linda lost her composure when she spotted, and jumped, a wide shadow cast by the late afternoon sun near the 1400 metre mark, then did the same again 50 metres later at the next light standard.

Champion driver Tony Herlihy, on pacemaker Angelic Copy, said he was relieved when Lincoln Linda’s driver Maurice McKendry then chose to grab hold, stay in the death seat, and not try to take the lead.

“After seeing what his horse did, I didn’t want him to cross me,” Herlihy said. “Maurice did the safe thing.”

Driver Zachary Butcher, who had also seen Lincoln Linda’s antics, told stewards after the race one of the reasons he pulled third favourite Rivergirl Bella out of the one-one so soon, and shot forward before the 800, was because he was not keen on following the filly either.

Angelic Copy (Tony Herlihy) just pips Allamericanplayer (Josh Dickie). PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.In the end, Lincoln Linda ran fifth, but only 2.4 lengths from the winner, Green believing the shadows cost her the race.

Green said he was amazed how Lincoln Linda stayed pacing after jumping the shadows and questioned why the club had programmed the race so early in the evening.

“These babies have never seen shadows like that before, particularly because they don’t trial here any more. The shadows were always there and they are that wide.

“You expect that though, they’re all green and this is like another planet for them, first time off the place.”

Green said the initial two-year-old races in particular should be run under lights, when the shadows were gone later in the night.

Herlihy recalled similar problems a few years ago when the horsemen had petitioned the club to do exactly that, and the change had been made. He did not know why the baby race had reverted to early on the card.

Herlihy was impressed by the no-worries attitude of Angelic Copy, whom he said “just flopped along in the lead as if she didn’t care.

“I actually thought we’d been beaten. That other horse (Allamericanplayer) got right up to us but she stuck on well and came back at him.”

His only moment of worry was early in the score-up when Angelic Copy took to the air and galloped briefly before he got her back on an even keel.

Owner Debbie Green with her winning debutante Angelic Copy.Another sales triumph

The win gave Angelic Copy’s owner Debbie Green another sales triumph, the filly costing just $7500 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2023 weanling sale at Karaka, making her the cheapest horse in the field.

“I was surprised to get her for that to be honest, particularly since she was the only Bettor’s Wish in the sale. She was on my list and also on Ray’s but he missed out because he was busy.”

Green said the filly, even as a weanling, fitted the mould of the type they always looked for.

What Angelic Copy looked like as a weanling.“They have to be balanced, even as babies, especially if you want them to race as two-year-olds. I don’t like them high in the arse.

“She was an OK size, not big, but in perfect balance and she walked well.”

Green was rapt that Friday night’s cheque of $8250 exceeded the filly’s price tag and came with a $12,000 Entain bonus.

Green said it was funny how during the preliminary and before the start of the race Angelic Copy and Stonewall Stud’s $155,000 colt Allamericanplayer were calling out to each other - “I think they fancied each other.”

At the line, only a head seperated the courtiers.

* Lincoln Farms’ 2/1 favourite Lincoln La Moose, also ruined his chances in the opening race by jumping the shadow near the 1400 metre mark, when he galloped, lost the lead, and hampered trailing runners. He ran fourth, beaten just 1.3 lengths.