Copy That should have the wood on his rivals in Thursday night’s flying mile at Auckland

Copy That might not have finished ahead of his stablemates when he worked at Pukekohe this morning but trainer Ray Green declared him ready to resume at Auckland on Thursday night.

Favouring a private workout today over Friday’s workouts, when no outside opposition nominated, Green sent Copy That (Andre Poutama) over 2400 metres with Lincoln River (Nathan Delany) and Simply Sam (Monika Ranger).

And while his stablemates finished a couple of lengths in front of him, Copy That did enough to satisfy both driver and trainer that he would be hard to beat in Thursday night’s mobile mile.

“They both finished in front of him, but he’s a lazy horse,” Green said. “And they ran the 2400 metres in 3:07, nothing too exciting, but still a good time with heavy jog carts on.

“I doubt they’d have gone that fast in a regular workout and Andre was happy enough with the way he went.

“He sat last of the three, with Lincoln River leading, and River went super. All three will race on Thursday.”

Green said he was very happy with Copy That and Thursday’s 1609 metre free-for-all suited him as an opener to his New Zealand Cup preparation.

Australian owned Jilliby Illuminate (Andre Poutama) staves off It’s Nae Or Never.One to watch

Of the 10 horses who trialled on Friday, Jilliby Illuminate looked one to watch out for.

The unraced Sweet Lou - Beaudiene Blinkz two-year-old led her 2050 metre learners’ heat and comfortably repelled a late challenge by promising Cambridge visitor It’s Nae Or Never to score by a neck.

While the time of 2:45.8 (mile rate 2:10.1) was very sedate, Green was impressed by the professionalism she showed.

And that’s not something he thought he’d be saying earlier in the year.

Training the filly for Australian Margaret Lee and her Levarg Racing Group, Green admitted he was worried for a while what he was going to tell them.

“We went through a long process of her being very anti-social. She would buck, kick and run off the track.

“But in the last three months she’s really turned the corner. Now she’s like an old boot and is lovely to work with. And she’s done nothing but keep improving.

“Today’s the first time she’s worked with more than two other horses but she was very sensible.

“She’ll have another couple of trials before she races as we need to school her and expose her to the field sizes she’ll meet on raceday.”

Art Major two-year-old Lincoln La Moose, who finished fifth and five lengths astern, was going to take more time, Green said.

“He’s still a bit delicate.”

Obadiah Dragon (Delany) scores, with stablemate Frisco Bay third.Obadiah Dragon (Delany) showed he had taken improvement from his fresh-up run at Auckland a week ago when he scored in a maiden 2050 metre heat, beating home his stablemates Frisco Bay (third) and Lilly Lincoln (fifth).

Eased off the markers 600 metres from home to sit parked, the Fear The Dragon colt ran on too well for Day Dreamz and Frisco Bay to score by two lengths in a 2:06.2 mile rate, home in 58.9 and 27.5.

“He went really well. He’s got a bit of speed and he’ll run again this week.”

Frisco Bay, rated potentially the team’s best two-year-old by Green, was only half a neck from second after pacing roughly turning for home.

“Andre said he put in a few steps turning in but he was all right once in the straight.

“We’ve had issues with him over-racing and we’ll use a different bit on him this week.

“I’ll tinker with his hopples too - I might tighten them up a bit.”

Gotcha!, Andre Poutama tells Nathan Delany as Toe The Line downs Lenny Lincoln. Lincoln Blue is out wide for Ollie Gregory.Limited four-year-old Toe The Line (Poutama) surprised a little in leading home stablemates Lenny Lincoln (Delany) and Lincoln Blue (Ollie Gregory) in the final heat.

Pacing the 2050 metres in 2:39.1, a mile rate of 2:04.8, Toe The Line had a head margin on Lenny Lincoln at the post.

Green said Lenny Lincoln, who was withdrawn from his debut at Cambridge to avoid the top colts in the Sires Stakes heat, is in “the getting better category.

“He’s a tough little fella. He needs to get a bit stronger but he tries hard and he’ll win a race.”

Lincoln Blue was a work in progress, Green said.

“He’s getting the idea. He’s getting better each time he goes out there. He’s only a little fella but he tries hard.”

My Copy (Nathan Delany) before his heat … looking for some racing luck.Green’s own Mr Unlucky My Copy, who was again held up in heavy traffic and full of running last start, ran only fourth in his heat behind Lady Of The Light but did well in coming from the rear.

The winner cut out the 2050 metres in 2:35.8 (mile rate of 2:02.2), home in 57 and 26.8, so My Copy (Delany) did well to finish only four lengths in arrears.

“He went a sub 27 quarter home and did it quite easily. He’s in good shape and just needs some luck on race night.”

Green said he would be looking for some easier options for Riverboy Ben, sixth and last.

“He lacks a yard of speed.”