Copy That’s Victorian campaign opens with a frustrating false start for Ray at the airport
By Barry Lichter • 15 December 2021
The frustrations of flying in the Covid era hit home today when Copy That got away to Melbourne but his trainer didn’t.
Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green thought he had done everything necessary to board his Air New Zealand flight this morning but he was turned back because the only evidence he had of returning a negative Covid test in the last 72 hours was in a text on his phone.
The upshot of the hiccup is that even with the correct documentation tomorrow morning the 24 hour delay means he will not be able to train or supervise the horse’s tilt at Saturday night’s A$75,000 Cranbourne Cup.
“I have to self-isolate for 72 hours without going anywhere so it means I won’t even be able to go to the races. If I’d been able to leave this morning I would have been out of jail the morning of the race.
“I’ve been a bit stressed out today but I’m mentally prepared for anything now, even a plane crash.”
Trainer Ray Green will have to wait until after Saturday night’s Cranbourne Cup to be reunited with Copy That.Nevertheless Green is happy that Copy That had no such hold-up and is expected to reach Chris Svanosio’s stable at Romsey, 45 minutes from Melton, by about 7.30pm Australian time.
“At least they’ll get a chance to know him over the next couple of days when he has a jog. He’ll scream and snort when he gets to the races but he’s not a difficult horse to drive.”
Green isn’t up on the gate speed of all the runners inside Copy That on Saturday night when he starts from six on the gate over the 2555 metre feature sponsored by Copy That’s owner Merv Butterworth.
But he knows the ability of star mare Amazing Dream, who is in three, and will ensure the race is no gimmee for Copy That.
“I hope he doesn’t end up having a hard trip - if he goes forward he might end up parked.
“But he’ll have plenty of time to recover afterwards as each of his races over there is well spaced.”
Green’s confidence that he has Copy That in a really good space was underlined when the horse made sbort work of his rivals at last Saturday’s Pukekohe workouts.
After starting from 30 metres behind, driver Maurice McKendry had Copy That in the trail behind Bad To The Bone over the 2500 metre trip and easly reeled in his rival in the run home to score by a head with two and a half lengths to Cruzee Mach.
His time of 3:15.8 represented a casual mile rate of 2:06, with the closing splits in 57.5 and a slick 26.5. “Maurice said he felt super. His last two starts have been exceptional so I think he’s right on his game. “None of his races over there will be easy but he’s ready to go a good one.”
At least Green won’t have to shack up in some pokey roadside motel while he recovers from his disrupted travel. Butterworth has organised his digs during the campaign at the luxury Cleveland Winery Resort just 10 minutes from where the horse is stabled.
The pan fried Barramundi fillet with Spanish chorizo, roasted potato and spicy spring vegetable broth sounds like just the job Ray. And don’t forget the chilled Cleveland chardonnay.
Copy That races at Cranbourne at 11.17pm NZ time 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.
