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.
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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.
