Akuta leads Copy That on the last lap of their workout at Pukekohe today.
Copy That, wearing a new bit, rumbles with Akuta in preparation for Friday’s Founders
By Barry Lichter • 4 March 2023
Two of New Zealand’s big guns, Copy That and Akuta, warmed up for Friday night’s Founders Cup at Auckland with a smart workout at Pukekohe today.
Not out for time, the pair worked steadily through the early stages of their 2050 metre heat, Akuta leading his rival, before upping the ante over the last 800 metres in 56.3 and 400 in 27 flat.
Akuta (Brent Mangos) held a neck margin at the line but Andrew Drake was happy to just sit alongside on Copy That without even pulling the hood.
“I got to Mango and just stayed with him,” said Drake who was impressed by the feel of the dual New Zealand Cup champion in his first speed test since returning from a Victorian campaign.
Trainer Ray Green said the run mirrored Copy That’s casual habit of rushing up to his rivals then switching off. The trip took 2:37.6, a mile rate of 2:03.6.
New bit successful
“They got home well and he’s pulled up well, which is the main thing. Best of all, he drove perfectly after we changed his bit.”
Green said he wanted to prevent a repetition of the Hunter Cup run where driver Blair Orange pulled up Copy That on the last lap.
“He got a bit fierce in Australia and choked himself. He had a straight bit, which they can really latch on to, but today we had him in a snaffle and mini bit. He respects it, but won’t over-race in it.”
Andrew Drake takes Copy That’s heart rate after his heat.Green said while Copy That was still a bit tubby, after a few weeks enjoying the good grass, he would quickly drop off that excess weight.
And the fact his heart rate was a low 78 when he went into the wash bay showed he had lost little of his fitness.
“He’ll be ready enough for the Founders Cup, which is over only 1700 metres and, anyway, it isn’t that important in the scheme of things. It’s a means to an end and I want him to come out of this race looking for more.”
Green said he was worried, however, about where the horses are going to come from to fill the Founders Cup field, after the recent export of Hot And Treacherous to Queensland further drained the poor pool of tight class horses.
“The race does need to get the race off the ground or how else are we to get our horses fit for bigger assignments? It’s a Group III race so they have a duty to run it, even with a small field.
“If we keep canning these races we risk more owners saying we can’t get a start in New Zealand so what I am doing here?”
Only two free-for-alls are programmed at Auckland before the $1 million The Race at Cambridge on April 14, next week’s Founders and the City Of Auckland Free-for-all (mobile 2200m) on March 24.
Green was pleased with how Lincoln Farms’ three two-year-olds handled their first look at the mobile gate in the learners’ heat over 1609 metres.
Onyx Shard leads Lincoln Blue, parked and Lenny Lincoln, trailing, in their first workout at Pukekohe today.Sweet Lou filly Onyx Shard, raced by Lincoln farms’ business manager Ian Middleton and two mates Paul Humphries and Ian Harris, prevailed after leading for driver Andre Poutama.
Onyx Shard had a neck to spare over the late-closing Lenny Lincoln (Andrew Dake) with a further length to Lincoln Blue (Zachary Butcher), running the trip in 2:07.2, the last 800 in 60.4 and 400 in 28.
Lenny Lincoln (Vincent - Tristar Brigade) and Lincoln Blue (Bettor’s Delight - Pop Princess) are among the babies available for special partnerships.
Colonel Lincoln powers home to run down Riverboy Ben.Colonel Lincoln showed he was forward after a six-month break when running down stablemate Riverboy Ben in a slick three-horse heat over 2050 metres.
Colonel Lincoln, winner of one of his eight starts, clocked 2:30, a mile rate of 1:57.7, ripping home in 56.3 and 27.2.
The Bettor’s Delight colt out of Jessie’s Cullen, was a $200,000 buy at the 2021 Karaka sale, and has been given plenty of time to furnish.
Commander Lincoln (Andre Poutama) leading his heat.Unraced American Ideal three-year-old Commander Lincoln led his 2050 metre qualifier, swallowed up late by the John Dickie-trained Champagne Night who clocked 2:36.9, a mile rate of 2:03.1.
The closing half was cut out in 57.7 and quarter in 28.1.
Commander Lincoln, a $90,000 yearling, is a brother to Green’s previous $1.27 million winner (My) Hard Copy.
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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.
