Line Up and Copy That hard held in Addington trial leaving Green excited about Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 6 November 2019
Trainer Ray Green was thrilled with the way Line Up and Copy That trialled at Addington today and says they need only a little luck to feature in Tuesday’s $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final.
The two Lincoln Farms’ colts were only out for a look round Addington today and were drawn against a powerful field of rating 70 and faster horses, but both powered home strongly to finish right in behind the placegetters.
In what turned out to be only a walk and sprint home over the mobile 1980 metres, the likely Sires’ Stakes favourite One Change prevailed in a blanket finish. Only heads separated the first four home with runner-up Wainui Creek, Bettor’s Heart and Amazing Dream all close up.
The overall time was 2:28.9, with the closing 800 metres in 57.8 and 400 in 27.3.
Green says both Copy That, sixth, and Line Up, seventh, came with strong finishes, especially Copy That who went to the line under a big hold.
Line Up has drawn handy in five for the Sires’ Stakes Final on Tuesday.Top Sydney-based horseman Anthony Butt went to an early lead on Line Up but took hold when he put in a couple of funny little steps, settling three deep on the markers.
“Ants said he was just jogging at the line and he was very pleased with the run.
“Blair (Orange) went back on Copy That and stayed down on the inside. He smoked up in behind them at the finish.”
Zachary Butcher, driving Wainui Creek, told Green afterwards that he ran home in 26.5 on his mare and he could see Copy That being absolutely choked alongside him.
“Both of ours looked like they were travelling as good as anything else and I reckon Copy That could nearly have won if he’d been in the open.
“But they were only there for a look round the track, that’s all, and they pulled up really well.
“They’ve both travelled well and are thriving down here, they’re really in the zone.”
Lincoln Farms had a mixed result with the barrier draws for Tuesday’s big finale - Line Up handy in five but Copy That wide on the second row in 14.
Copy That has the speed to overcome his second row draw on Tuesday.But Green says the draw doesn’t take Copy That out of play.
“You never know what will happen of course but it looks like Line Up will get a handier trip. Copy That, however, is capable of coming from way off the pace because he’s got big speed. If they go hard he could run right into it.
“We just need a bit of luck and I think we’ll get some of it. Our two look as capable as any and I’m looking forward to the race.”
The All Stars’ juggernaut looks to have a vice like grip on the New Zealand Cup after Spankem beat Thefixer a head in the cup trial, powering home wide out from the tail end near the home turn.
The pair clocked 3:16 for the 2600 metre stand, and closed in 56.1 and 26.9.
A G’s White Socks got closest for Ricky May, one and a half lengths away after galloping at the start and making a big run to lead 1000 metres from home. Mach Shard and Zachary Butcher were next home, half a length away, finishing on strongly from last on the turn.
The Purdon/Rasmussen pair have drawn next to each other in the $750,000 Cup on Tuesday, with Spankem in six and Thefixer in seven.
Victorian visitor San Carlo landed the pole.
Oscar Bonavena huge
In other trials today:
* Oscar Bonavena was brilliant in beating stablemate Winterfell in the rating 72 and faster 2600 metre trot, screaming to the lead 700 metres from home and clearing out in the run home to win by three lengths, closing in 56.5 and 27.9.
* Australian trotter Tough Monarch led all the way in the rating 69 and faster mobile 1980 metre heat for raceday driver Anthony Butt, beating Splash Cola by two lengths, with closing sectionals of 59.7 and 28.8. Sundees Son was third in a gap of nine lengths after galloping 1000 metres from home and again across the finish line.
* Two other All Stars’ Sires Stakes contenders won their heats, Aqua Sancta coming out of the trail to easily run down Franco Texas by three-quarters of a length in 2:30.8 for 1980 metres and Dina Bolt too strong for Sugar Loaf in 2:32.3.
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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.
