Copy That gets the dreaded visitor’s draw - but Melbourne Merv’s bullish he can pull it off
By Barry Lichter • 5 July 2021
Copy That’s task in Saturday night’s A$250,000 The Rising Sun just got a lot harder.
By the worst of luck, Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green drew 13, the outside of the second row, for his charge at tonight’s barrier function at Albion Park.
Under the special conditions of the inaugural feature which reserves the two inside spots for three-year-olds, that means Canterbury hero Krug gets the coveted pole position whereas Ray Green’s charge gets one of the worst draws over the mobile 2138 metres.
The McCarthy powerhouse Expensive Ego drew two on the second row, following out the final wildcard inclusion Kashed Up.
Kiwi mare Amazing Dream will start from three, getting the good spot courtsey of the preferential age/sex conditions.
Copy That’s owner Merv Butterworth, who watched the draw live on television from his Melbourne home, says he doesn’t believe it will make any difference to Copy That.
“They drive like rabbits in Queensland. They like to go stupid early so they can wave to mum and say ‘look at me in the lead’.
“I have every confidence that Ray and Anthony Butt can still get the job done.
“Ants will sit back and wait for the moves and, with Copy That’s brilliant sprint, I reckon he’ll finish over the top of them, just like he did last Saturday night.
“If we’d drawn four we would have been forced to lead and then we’d have been attacked repeatedly.
“Good horses can come from bad positions in fast-run races.”
Butterworth also believes Expensive Ego will struggle to dominate from his second row draw.
“He has only one way of racing. He’s only good when he’s up pushing near the lead. He likes to get round them quickly and wear his rivals into the ground and I don’t see him getting that opportunity.”
Krug will also need a top Blair Orange drive to score, he says.
“I doubt Krug will have the early pace from one.”
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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.
