The expression on Zachary Butcher’s face says everything about Lincoln Cove as he runs up the track in the home straight but still hangs on. PHOTO: Angelique Bridson/Race Images.
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
By Barry Lichter • 25 April 2024
My Copy and Lincoln Cove are like chalk and cheese but they both got the job done for Lincoln Farms at Cambridge tonight.
My Copy notched his sixth win courtesy of a beautiful drive from Maurice McKendry in the eighth race and one race later Lincoln Cove shed his maiden status after a skilful steer by Zachary Butcher.
Both horses were bought at the sales at different ends of the spectrum by Debbie Green, wife of trainer Ray Green.
My Copy cost just $3000 as a weanling, a five-month-old black ball of fluff, while Lincoln Cove, a handsome yearling with a blue blood pedigree had plenty of people bidding before the hammer fell at $140,000.
Today they are on similarly diverse trajectories, My Copy a no-fuss sound-as-a-bell winner of $75,000 and Lincoln Cove a talented but frustrating colt with a problem, headed next to the Matamata Veterinary Centre.
Driver Zachary Butcher tells trainer Ray Green about his difficult drive behind Lincoln Cove. PHOTO: Angelique Bridson.“Zac did a good job just getting him round tonight,” Green said of Lincoln Cove who led most of the way. “I said to him in the winner’s circle it looked like hard work and he agreed.
“He locked on one rein the whole way and I’m sure if he’d tracked properly he’d have won easily.
“There’s got to be something wrong for him to do that, and we’ve got to find out what the problem is, so we’re going to send him to Matamata for scintigraphy.
“The raw ability is there, but obviously something is not quite right. We’ll see if they can find the problem.”
Green said Lincoln Farms had done well with Lincoln Cove’s family - the Downbytheseaside - Everlasting Grace colt is related to a number of their previous charges including big winner American Dealer.
“He’s a nice colt. Debbie bought him. I was in hospital at the time.”
Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street now have a big group of partners in the three-year-old - Steve MacDonald, Wayne Seebeck, Chris Prutton, the Four Legs Syndicate, Peter Dougherty and the Green Machine Syndicate.
My Copy (Maurice McKendry) draws clear near the finish. PHOTO: Angelique Bridson.My Copy, raced by Debbie Green alone and now a strapping 16.2-hand five-year-old, also has some famous relations, the most notable his half brother, dual New Zealand Cup winner Copy That.
“He’s no cup horse but he’s a real trier,” Ray Green said.
“He doesn’t miss many cheques, he never goes a bad race, he’s sound and has good manners.
“I’m surprised nobody wanted to buy him. We offered him to people for $50,000 three or four months ago. They would have got that back in no time but they’ve missed the boat now.
Owner Debbie Green holds My Copy while husband and trainer Ray looks on.“The way he got the job done tonight he’ll win more races here.
“It was a beautiful drive by Maurice and he won so well in the end, he was drawing away at the finish.”
My Copy, who travelled strongly three back in the running line, had two lengths to spare on Sharkie’s Girl at the post, clocking 2:42.4 for the mobile 2200 metres.
Lincoln Cove, remarkably, clocked two tenths of a second faster, 2:42.2, in scoring by a neck.
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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.
