Debbie Green with her beloved Tommy after one of his five wins at Auckland.
Good trooper My Copy sold to Perth leaving Lincoln La Moose to hold the fort on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 21 August 2024
My Copy has been scratched from Auckland on Friday night and will do his future racing in Western Australia.
The sale of the horse brings to a close a terrific few seasons for trainer Ray Green and his wife Debbie who bought the little brother to Copy That for just $3000 as a weanling.
While the Highview Tommy five-year-old has always lived in the shadow of the dual New Zealand Cup winner, Green said he had done a great job to win seven races and $91,748.
“He’s been a really good racehorse for us all the way through - and he’s so nice to train and drive.
“It’s a shame to have to sell him - and we didn’t get what we wanted - but now that he’s on the cusp of having to race all the good ones it’s going to be hard going for him.”
On Friday night the horse, rated only R55, would have had to compete against those with ratings of R71, R69 and R66.
“Over there they’ll be able to place him much better,” Green said.
La Moose freshened
Green says you can expect a better performance from a freshened Lincoln La Moose at Auckland on Friday night.
The three-year-old was a beaten favourite after leading at his last start on August 9, surprisingly reeled in 200 metres from home.
Green told the stewards he believed the horse was feeling the effects of recent racing.
Since resuming on July 22, the three-year-old had raced five weeks on end.
That, on top of a mid-week training run when he over-raced too much, contributed to his below par effort.
“He’s obviously better if his races are spaced and I’m expecting him to go much better this time. He should be right in it.”
Green said Lincoln La Moose’s run for eighth two starts back could also be forgiven as “he had a hell trip” after driver Zachary Butcher’s aborted attempt to wrest the lead a round from home got the horse over-racing in the death seat.
A better guide to his prospects on Friday night were his two previous starts when he finished a close third behind Semba and stablemate Lincoln Lou at Auckland and a good second to the impressive Kings Watch at Cambridge.
Green said from three on the gate, he expected Lincoln La Moose to have the wood on his last start conqueror, stablemate Obadiah Dragon, drawn on the outside.
“But I’m expecting him to be running on. He gets home well if not given too much to do early. He hasn’t gone a bad race in his last six starts.”
Tyson, though obviously improving, might find the opposition in the fifth race, too much, Green said.
“His last two starts have been excellent but there are a few more two-year-olds coming on stream now, including the Purdon pair (Confederate and I Got Chills).
“He’s also drawn awkwardly (in six) and that will make it tough for him.
“I expect him to develop into a tidy horse but he’s still green and will need a bit of luck on Friday to figure.”
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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.
