Copy That checks out fine so it’s all systems go for Queensland on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 8 June 2021
It was with some relief for trainer Ray Green that blood and vet checks today gave Copy That and American Dealer a clean bill of health.
While discovering an issue might have explained why the pair raced flat at the Cambridge Jewels last Sunday, Green was anxious about what that might have meant for the pair’s imminent Australian campaign.
But the all clear means they will join stablemates Tommy Lincoln and Captain Nemo on a flight to Australia on Friday.
“The blood test was fine and they’ve checked out all good,” said Green.
“We’ll just have to put it down to a bad day and move on.”
Copy That, right, checks out who’s next door in the wash bay at Cambridge after his Jewels run.Green can only guess that Copy That might again have been troubled by his feet in the Four-Year-Old Emerald when driver Maurice McKendry reported he didn’t feel right even scoring up behind the mobile gate and showed none of his usual brilliant speed.
“We used to put pads on his feet, which were prone to getting sore, but when the farrier said he should be all right we took them off a month or so ago. I’m pretty sure that’s all that was making him uncomfortable on Sunday.
“I shouldn’t have taken them off but they’re back on now.”
Green said he and the team of four were leaving slightly earlier than anticipated to take advantage of a rare direct flight to Brisbane, meaning the horses wouldn’t be stressed by a 700km truck trip north from Sydney.
Green will be away with the team for about seven weeks, until the end of the winter carnival which climaxes on July 24 with the A$250,000 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship.
Two weeks earlier Copy That will take up an invitation to contest the inaugural A$250,000 The Rising Sun, where he will meet fellow Kiwi Krug and a host of top Australian three and four-year-olds including Expensive Ego.
American Dealer’s main mission is the A$100,000 Queensland Derby on July 24.
Green will train from the south-east Queensland property of trainer Mark Dux at Woongoolba, 50km south east of Brisbane and 40km north of Surfers Paradise.
“It’s in the cane fields and he has a well appointed property with a 1000 metre track, new barns and plenty of paddocks.”
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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.
