“At this rate there’ll be no horses left here’ - Ray hot on near canning of Copy That race

“And they wonder why there’s a mass exodus to Australia, they’re chasing horses out.”

Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green wasn’t in the mood for mincing words this week when his superstar pacer Copy That came close to missing out on a crucial final lead-up race to the Harness Jewels.

Lincoln Farms sponsors Friday night’s tight class pace but the event almost didn’t get off the ground after the Auckland Trotting Club notified trainers the race would be scrapped unless there were six starters.

And when Mach’s Back was withdrawn, leaving just five runners, Green was forced to throw American Dealer into the race at the last minute to salvage it.

Ray Green … “It’s a mission just getting a start these days.”“Apparently the TAB didn’t want a race with only five starters (meaning there would be only two place dividends and less turnover) but how are trainers supposed to prepare their horses if we can’t race them?” Green said.

All six starters in the Lincoln Farms Pace, including top mare Amazing Dream, are key competitors in their respective sections on Jewels day in two weeks’ time.

“It’s a mission just getting a start these days,” Green said. “At this rate there’ll be no horses left here for the New Zealand Cup, they’ll all be in Australia.”

Ian Middleton … expressed Lincoln Farms’ concern over the scrapping of races.Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton laid out the dire situation in an email on Tuesday to Harness Racing New Zealand chief executive Gary Woodham, who it turns out has the ultimate say on whether clubs can run small fields.

Under the funding policy HRNZ has an agreement with clubs that races with fewer than six horses can only be run with the express approval of the chief executive.

The agreement was in place before Woodham took office in January but was earlier promoted by the TAB, where Woodham was previously a general manager for five years.

HRNZ CEO Gary Woodham … races with fewer than six runners can only be held with his approval.In his reply, Woodham acknowledged small fields were an issue for Auckland but said there were ways to accommodate horses through handicaps and conditions and his team would be discussing these with clubs.

Addington feature nearly scrapped

But the problem is not solely a northern one - exactly the same situation occurred at Addington this week with the $25,000 Canterbury Park Winter Cup nearly canned after only five nominations, the event salvaged only when Michael House entered Johnny Mac.

Half the field - Belmont Major, Laver and South Coast Arden - were also relying on the race as their final tightener for the Harness Jewels on June 6.

HRNZ handicapper Andrew Morris could recall only one occasion when a race had been abandoned because a sixth horse could not be scrounged but said it was acknowledged that cancellations could adversely affect horses’ campaigns.

“We’re sailing close to the wind - it’s an undesirable situation - and we’d be silly not to have another look at it for next season. I spoke to Gary about it yesterday.

“People need the surety that they’re going to get starts where they direct their horses and there are times when races need to be run.”

Ironically, in an email to owners with horses racing at Friday night’s meeting, the Auckland Trotting Club highlighted the exciting racing on offer, “especially with Copy That going for his sixth win in a row.”

That such a drawcard almost didn’t eventuate is an indictment on the present restrictions.

Green thrilled

The politics aside, Green is thrilled with the condition of Copy That and not even the outside draw tempers his confidence.

“He doesn’t have to lead. He can do it whichever way. In a six-horse field he could sit last and not be too far off them.

“He’s obviously the one to beat.”

The perfect scenario would see gate flyer Tommy Lincoln lead out and eventually hand up to his stablemate, which would almost certainly kill his rivals’ hopes. That’s because Copy That has been magnificent in front in his last two Group I wins, having to work hard to get the top in the Taylor Mile then easily claiming the lead in the Messenger.

American Dealer … has had an easy time since puncturing a foot last weekend. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green hadn’t originally intended to race American Dealer this week until his hand was forced, playing it cautious after the horse pulled a shoe and punctured a sole in his paddock last Saturday.

“I was a bit worried about running him but that problem seems to have resolved. I trained him on Wednesday morning and he pulled up well.

“Friday will be basically a glorified workout for him. I just want him to get round and pull up good.

“That’s not to say he can’t get some of the money. He was terrific last start, coming home from the back in 53.7.”

While Green was thrilled with Tommy Lincoln’s resumption last week, he says the best he could do on Friday night is battle it out for a minor placing. “You couldn’t see him beating Copy That or Amazing Dream - they don’t come much better than those two - but nobody will beat him out of the gate so he should lead out again.

“He went super fresh, he’s such a competitive big fella. Zac said he was flat at the 600 but he just kept running. And that run would have tightened him up.”

The outside draw is against Arden’s Horizon in the fifth race where under the preferential barrier draw system the five fillies were gifted the inside alleys.

But Green says if Arden’s Horizon can get any semblance of a trip he’s still a chance of getting a cheque.

“They just went too fast for him last time. But back to his own age group and over 1700 metres he’ll find it easier.”

Tacking older horses at his last start over 2200 metres Arden’s Horizon enjoyed the trial but only battled from the 150 metre mark to finish five lengths behind Blitzembye who clocked 2:42.3.

“He’s trained on OK and just needs a trip.”

Green elected to scratch Sugar Apple from the same race, saying it would be too tough for him from gate seven.

Louie The Punter … over-raced badly last start. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.No match for Zarias

Captain Nemo and Louie The Punter are also saddled with the two outside draws in the final race, from where they’ll struggle to foot it with Zachary Butcher’s smart up-and-comer Zarias drawn the pole.

Captain Nemo led at his last start but packed it in late.

“Zac said he was travelling well in the lead but ran out of fitness. He hadn’t raced for five weeks so he’ll be fitter this time.”

Louie The Punter wrecked his chances last start by over-racing badly, which saw driver Andre Drake take him to the death seat 1300 metres from home.

Though only fourth behind She’s No Lady, he still paced her 2200 metres in 2:41.3.

“He’s trained and trialled better since and David Butcher takes the reins on Friday night.”