Copy That’s rolling in the sun won’t be in Queensland this December.
Copy That not a starter for Interdominions: neither Ray nor Merv keen on brutal series
By Barry Lichter • 26 September 2023
Don’t be rushing in to back Copy That for the Interdominion series in Brisbane in December - he won’t be there.
While the dual New Zealand Cup winner was one of 107 pacers nominated for the four-night series starting December 1, and he features on the fifth line of early betting, Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green says the horse won’t be going.
Green entered Copy That only because he couldn’t contact Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth before the closing of entries yesterday, and it cost nothing to nominate.
“But as I expected when I got hold of Merv he wasn’t keen.
“Four races in two weeks is a bit brutal. Back in the day horses used to cop it but nowadays most are more delicate athletes.”
The Albion Park series will see $30,000 heats on Friday, December 1 (1660m), Tuesday, December 5 (2138m) and Saturday, December 9 (2680m), with the 2680 metre final a week later.
“It’s not like you have to be in it any more,” Green said. “There are plenty of alternatives these days and the money’s not even that good. It’s not like there’s a million to the winner.”
Prizemoney for the pacing final on December 16 is A$500,000, with A$286,000 to the winner.
Green said for that reason alone, the series had not been able to tempt any other Kiwi-trained headliners. All Stars’ co-trainer Nathan Purdon said the timing and changes to racing calendars in Australia and New Zealand didn’t suit.
Lincoln Farms could still be represented at the Inters, the first at Albion Park for 22 years, with the last Queensland series on the Gold Coast in 2009.
Green has nominated Simply Sam, who finished runner-up to Fernleigh Cash at Auckland last Friday, and Queensland resident Tommy Lincoln was also entered by trainer Mark Dux.
“Simply Sam will go down to Christchurch with Copy That first - as there won’t be anything for him up here.
“And if he goes over for the Interdoms it will be on a one-way ticket. There are a lot more opportunities for him in Australia.”
Tommy Lincoln, who has won eight races and A$112,000 in Brisbane for Lincoln Farms, has not raced for five months but is back in work.
He was ready to race in August, and trialled in 1:51.8, but slipped in training, pulled a hamstring muscle and developed a haemotoma, which took time to drain.
Just two Kiwi trotters have been nominated for the Inters, the Phil Williamson-trained Love N The Port and eight-year-old Majestic Man, runner-up to Maori Law in the 2021 Interdominion Final at Menangle.
The trotting final will be run for a stake of A$250,000.
Nominations for both the Ladbrokes ID 23 series can be viewed here.
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.”
