Trainer Ray Green returns to Lincoln Farms with Copy That after a morning workout at Pukekohe.
Copy That surprise entry for Auckland on Friday - but who’d want to take him on?
By Barry Lichter • 26 October 2021
Copy That is a surprise entry for Friday’s Auckland meeting after trainer Ray Green elected to further delay taking the horse south.
Green originally intended floating the horse south yesterday and giving him his final New Zealand Cup lead-up in the Kaikoura Cup at Addington on Monday.
But when a flight became available on November 4, he jumped at the chance to avoid the gruelling two-day road trip, believing the horse would benefit more from a quick trip than another race.
“Putting him in on Friday was an after-thought,” Green said today.
“I know it’s not the traditional cup prep but it’s the best we can do under the circumstances.”
The Auckland Trotting Club left nominations open until 12.30pm today after only 64 horses were entered for the entire meeting, believed to be a record low. Only two nominated for the two-year-old pace, and only four for the fillies’ and mares’ maiden and four for the tight class trot.
Just 21 pacers are listed for three races in the rating 40 and faster band and being a mobile 2200 metres, the club might struggle to include Copy That off even marks.
Copy That is a rating 120 pacer, with his closest opposition Christianshavtime (R77), Brookies Jaffa (R65), Down The Hatch (R58), Ohoka Achilles (R55) and Hesashorething (R55).
Green says if Copy That doesn’t get to race on Friday, he’ll just have to trial the horse. But he’s happy with his condition just 14 days out from the 3200 metre Addington feature.
“I couldn’t fault what he did in the Holmes DG last Friday. If Maurice had gone a bit sooner he’d have won it.”
In finishing third to Major Jellis and Bad To The Bone, Copy That was credited with easily the fastest sectionals, pacing the last mile of the 2700 metre stand in 1:56 flat, 1.5 seconds faster than the winner, with his last 800 in 57.3 and 400 in 26.7.
Green believes Copy That is athletic enough to be ready for a hard 3200 metres on his limited two-race preparation, noting his residual fitness from racing four weeks on end at the Queensland winter carnival.
Green says he saw nothing in the Flying Stakes at Ashburton yesterday to worry him, cup hotpot Self Assured scrambling home by a nose after getting an easy lead.
“Self Assured didn’t put the fear of god into me yesterday. I’m not too worried about him.”
Self Assured, nevertheless, held his position on $1.90 at the top of the IRT Cup futures market, with South Coast Arden at $3.20 and Copy That out to an attractive $8, along with Pembrook Playboy.
Green says he’s much more comfortable overseeing Copy That’s final preparation himself, given he cannot accompany the horse south under Covid border restrictions.
By giving the horse his final fast work before flying out on the Thursday, it means Copy That will be ready when he arrives in Christchurch, five days before the cup.
Just 21 pacers are nominated for the three races for rating 40 and faster pacers at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
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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.
