Copy That is an old hand at travelling now but for Simply Sam and Argyle it’s their first big trip.
Copy That ogled at airport as Lincoln Farms’ trio arrives safe and sound in Melbourne
By Barry Lichter • 1 September 2022
Copy That, Simply Sam and Argyle have arrived safely in Australia, a little tired but seemingly happy in their new surroundings at Ballarat.
Trainer Ray Green was at Yabby Dam Farm on the outskirts of the town at 10pm last night to welcome Lincoln Farms’ trio after their 10-hour door-to-door journey from Pukekohe.
And today he took Copy That and Simply Sam out for a quiet jog, opting to leave Argyle in his paddock, looking around, eyes bulging, at the impressive panorama.
“Argyle looked a bit more tired than the other two - a big journey like that can be stressful for them first time.
“They didn’t eat up last night, mind you I didn’t expect them to, but I think they’ll be fine in another two or three days. I won’t do anything serious with them until they’re over the trip.”
Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth’s first report on Copy That from his float driver Grant Campbell brought a smile to his face.
On arrival at the airport in Melbourne at 7.15pm, Campbell said the New Zealand Cup winner caught the eye of fellow truck drivers as he crossed the tarmac.
“They thought the horse Grant was leading was a thoroughbred because he looked sensational, and they wanted to know who he was.”
Butterworth said Copy That’s splint bone fracture last December could have been a blessing in disguse and hopefully he might now show “he is better than best and more likely a super horse.”
Green said he heard people had been drooling over the horse, who has really matured during his injury-enforced break, but tempered the observation by saying “it’s not a beauty contest.”
Green would rather see the horse judged by his performance in the $100,000 Melton Classic in nine days, the first of three, or possibly four races in Victoria, culminating in the $300,000 Victoria Cup on October 8.
Green says Simply Sam and Argyle are likely to start their Victoria Derby campaigns a day earlier than Copy That, at Ballarat on September 9.
Simply Sam, rated 76 in Australia, will contest the A$15,000 Holloway Classic for three-year-olds while Argyle, rated only 67, could either join him or run in a rating race for A$10,000.
Green said he was lucky to be stabled at Pat Driscoll’s lavish property, where he helped trainer Anton Golino when stranded by Covid on his last trip to Victoria with Copy That.
“It’s a great facility, mind boggling, and cost millions. They’ve got two treadmills, a walker, a 50 metre pool, a 1200m straight line track another 1000m track, a 10km jog track and even a vet clinic where they can do surgeries.
“It’s a big operation. There are a lot of thoroughbred yearlings and weanlings running round the paddocks and the whole place is about 700 acres (280ha).”
Green said he wouldn’t want for anything during the campaign which was away to a safe start.
“So far, so good.”
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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.
