Trainer Ray Green is looking for the real Copy That to stand up at Ballarat on Sunday.
Copy That in perfect health and will have a surprise outing at Ballarat on Sunday
By Barry Lichter • 21 December 2021
Copy That will make a surprise appearance in the A$24,000 Sokyola Sprint (1710m) at Ballarat on Sunday after passing every vet check this week with flying colours.
Trainer Ray Green had the horse exhaustively tested after he weakened out to run a distant last in his campaign opener at Cranbourne last Saturday night.
“His blood is perfect, he scoped perfectly, I had his heart looked at and it’s perfect. Everything is perfect.
“He’s eating well and looks super, so why not race him instead of going round at the trials for no money? That’s what we’re here for.
“While you like to find a reason for a bad performance, the reason was he had such an awful trip.”
Caught five wide early then four wide and three wide round the first turn, Copy That made an aborted attack for the lead before briefly landing the one-one then sprinting round to sit parked for the rest of the 2555 metre cup.
Green confirmed Chris Svanosio would retain the drive on Copy That and this time he will have carte blanche to do what he likes.
“We shouldn’t have insisted he drive the horse aggressively at Cranbourne.
“I should have said ‘do your own thing’ which is what I normally do - let the drivers be drivers.
“Chris knows the other drivers and horses so there’s no point in me getting in my two pennies worth.”
Green says the timing of the Ballarat race is perfect for Copy That, giving him two weeks until his next target, the A$70,000 Bendigo Cup on January 8.
“He’ll draw the outside but that’s good as it means he’ll probably have to go back.
“They’re not expecting a stellar bunch so with his speed he should be able to get over the top of them.”
Green says the 1710 metre trip wouldn’t overly tax Copy That and should have him primed for his next start.
“But I really just want to see him go round properly and not stop like he did last time.”
The fields for Ballarat are expected to be posted tomorrow.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
