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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Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
