Ants: Copy That has class written all over him - they’ll know he’s there next week
Ace driver Anthony Butt was particularly pleased with Copy That’s manners when he cruised round Albion Park last night to win his trial as he liked.
Lincoln Farms’ Brisbane carnival flag bearer was never troubled to win the 1660 metre heat by two metres in a mile rate of 1:53.2, albeit pitted against inferior opposition.
“It was a nice run for him and he rolled home a good half,” said Butt who travelled from Victoria for the test drive and to handle Krug at Redcliffe tonight.
After starting solo on the second line, Butt didn’t move from the rear until 800 metres out, cruising round his rivals to be third down the back straight, and powering home to record sectionals of 55.7 and 27.8.
“I was pleased with his manners, he was nice and relaxed and casual and went about it like he’d been there all his life.
Anthony Butt … “When I asked him to go he put them away in a couple of strides.”“When I asked him to go he put them away in a couple of strides. He’s got class written all over him.
“It won’t be easy against all the big boys next week but they’ll know he’s there.”
Trainer Ray Green has earmarked next Saturday’s A$25,660 Wondai’s Mate (1660m) as Copy That’s pipe opener for the carnival when he will meet local big guns Colt Thirty One, Spankem and Turn It Up.
“Everything’s going to plan,” said Green. “It’s good that Anthony got to have a drive on him and he did it well and pulled up well.
“He’s been training well since he got here. You’re limited to how fast you can go on this track but he doesn’t need much anyway.”
Copy That recorded sectionals of 28.2, 29.3, 27.9 and 27.8 in his trial, downing Chantal Turpin’s 12-race winner Will The Wizard and tiring leader First String, an 11-race winner with Belinda McCarthy.
More news in Harness
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Huge disappointment for Lincoln Farms as exciting Colonel Lincoln bows out again
Angelic filly stays unbeaten and is now well on her way to a cracking first season tally
Our runners this week
Friday night at Cambridge
Lincoln Lover, Prince Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Sugar Ray Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”