Copy That is in no danger of losing the Gammalite Free-for-all at Melton.
Copy That won despite having virus last start so what’s he going to do to them on Saturday?
By Barry Lichter • 27 September 2022
Copy That was carrying a few unwanted passengers when he smashed his rivals at Melton 10 days ago.
You wouldn’t have known it the way the star pacer ran away from his rivals in the Gammalite Free-for-all but trainer Ray Green revealed today Copy That had a virus that night.
“I thought he looked a bit flat at the finish so we took a blood off him and his white cell count was elevated.
“That explained why he didn’t finish it off as well as I thought he should have.”
Even though Copy That spurted away from his rivals turning for home, at the line he held only a 3.6 metre margin over runner-up Crime Writer, Green originally putting that down to his habit of knocking off when in front.
“But we’ve rectified that problem and he seems fine now so I’m expecting a big run from him on Saturday night.”
Copy That has come up with a sweet front row draw of three in the A$50,000 Smoken Up Sprint (mobile 1720m) with one of his main dangers Bondi Lockdown on the second row.
His three main Victoria Cup challengers are missing on Saturday but 1:47.6 Chariots Of Fire winner Better Eclipse resumes, drawn immediately inside Copy That.
Argyle and Simply Sam both have good front row draws in their Victoria Derby heats, Argyle drawn three in the first 2760 metre heat and Simply Sam four in the second.
Argyle was an all-the-way winner at Melton in his first start in Victoria.Hitting sulky wheels
Argyle’s heat is stacked with talented three-year-olds boasting winning formlines but Green says the eighth in Argyle’s ruined formline was not his fault.
“It was a bit worrying watching him stop like that but he basically beat himself up
“Nathan (Jack) said you can forget he went around as he was hitting the wheels.”
Jack told Green that Argyle left the gate well to lead but after that he was mostly just a runaway. With claiming junior driver Abby Sanderson outside and running him on Ozzie Playboy, Argyle got pulling and half choked down.
“The more he pulled, the more he hit the wheels. He had a different sulky on and was too far forward in the cart.
“Nathan used his own cart the start before and he’ll bring it again on Saturday night.”
Green said he’s not sure if it contributed to Argyle’s problem, but he’d also been told that horses trained on straight line tracks can stretch out more in races. Argyle has done some of his work in a straight line since being stabled at Yabby Dam Farm in Ballarat.
Simply Sam has the best of the draws in the second Victoria Derby heat, with winning machines Captain Ravishing and Leap To Fame both on the second row and Green is expecting further improvement from the horse.
“If he beats those two it will be a top effort but he’s arriving at the right time. He’d had only two runs prior to last week, and they were both soft races, but Nathan said he felt so much better.
“He wasn’t beaten for speed, he just got tired the last bit.”
Green said with the Withers Classic run at such a hectic tempo, it wasn’t surprising Sam ran out of gas, finishing a 22 metre third.
“Captain Ravishing broke the Kilmore track record (running the 2180 metres in a 1:54.6 mile rate) and Sam would have gone under it as well. He just flattened out the last bit otherwise he could have run second.
“That should tighten him up for the heat on Saturday. That was the idea of coming over here early to get races to fit him. It’s worked out well.”
Green said while Captain Ravishing looked something special, he believed the draws had given Lincoln Farms’ pair the chance to show their stuff.
“We’ll just need a bit of luck in the run and if we’re good enough, we’re good enough, if not, we’re not.”
Argyle races at 10.58pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
Simply Sam races at 11.28pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
Copy That races at 11.58pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday 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.
