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Copy That checks out fine so it’s all systems go for Queensland on Friday

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.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.”

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Tuesday at Addington

Race 4: The Big Lebowski
1.32pm

“His run at the cup trials on Wednesday has set him up nicely and I’m sure he’ll go well. He’s got the draw (four) and the driver (Blair Orange) and the horse is in a good place at the moment. He should be right in the fray.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday at Addington

Race 12: The Big Lebowski
7.48pm

“He comes in to six with scratchings but there’s plenty of speed inside him so he’s going to need a bit of luck. But I’m sure he’ll go a good race as he’s right on top of his game. He’s pulled up well from cup day.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.33pm

“I’d say he’s the one to beat. He certainly deserves to be favourite as the others have been around for a while. He’s a big, gangly horse who has time written all over him but he’s getting stronger all the time and he’s doing everything right now. The raw ability is there - he’s got a bit of speed - and he’s been running good fractions at the trials and getting home well.”


Race 11: Commander Lincoln
10.22pm

“Some of these look a lot better than he’s used to running against but they’re in there for a reason. He’s on the second row but he’s always running on and I’m sure he’ll go his usual, honest race.”

Dan Costello Race Photography