On a roll: Copy That ready but will Auckland get a race off the ground for him next week?
By Barry Lichter • 12 August 2022
Copy That will race at Auckland on Thursday night if a field can be carded after another powerful run at today’s Pukekohe workouts.
But Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is already making plans to fly the horse to Australia sooner than expected, and says he will be there inside a month.
In another major development, Green revealed the stable’s No. 1 three-year-old Simply Sam will also be on the flight for a tilt at the Victoria Derby.
Copy That ran in a redrawn heat of six horses over 2500 metres today, starting from the back mark of 30 metres, and was not bustled, sitting last in the running before driver Maurice McKendry pulled him out three wide 550 metres from home.
Copy That charged to the post, one and a quarter lengths, a length and half a head behind Old Town Road, Hesashorething and Nelsons Boy.
“Maurice said he was just cruising and felt marvellous,” Green said.
“They went 26.2 off the front for the last 400 and Maurice timed him to run his last 2400 metres in 3:02.”
Trainer Ray Green checks Copy That’s heart rate after his workout today.Green was delighted to see Copy That’s heart rate had dropped as low as 71 when taken in the wash bay.
“He always recovers quickly and he’s in really good shape. If they can get a race off the ground next week we’ll front up.”
The Auckland Trotting Club has programmed a 2200 metre sprint on Thursday night for rating 55 and faster pacers, with a maximum back mark of 30 metres.
Best season ahead
Green believes the season ahead will be Copy That’s best, now that he has matured so much.
“You could argue the unintended (injury) break might have done him good. He’d been up for a long time. He’s filled out and grown and is a lot stronger than he was last time in. I couldn’t be happier with him.
“Hopefully he’ll get a run here. But we have to plan for the distinct probability that there won’t be a suitable lead-up race next week, and there’s no meeting at Auckland the following week, so we’re looking to go to Aussie sooner. I’d say we’ll be there by the beginning of September.’’
Green says Copy That has six races to choose from in Australia, to fit him for the New Zealand Cup, with the first likely to be the A$100,000 Melton Sprint Classic (mobile 1720m) on September 10.
Sam for Victoria Derby
Simply Sam, who will trial next week, has lead-up races he can contest at Ballarat and Kilmore before the Victoria Derby heats on October 1 and A$200,000 Final on October 8.
“It would have been a big ask to take him to Queensland for their winter carnival. He possibly would have been competitive but it was too risky at that stage.”
Simply Sam after notching a hat-trick at Auckland at his last start on July 15. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.With more all round game now, and a hat-trick under his belt, Green said he was excited about the prospect of testing Simply Sam in Victoria.
“The plans might sound grandiose but we’re not trying to do the impossible and we’re in good shape with these two.”
Green said Lincoln Farms was at a stage where it could soon send more horses to Australia, frustrated at how little improvement is happening in the industry here.
“The way things are going, in the North Island in particular, we’ll have to start adjusting the way we do this job. We need a bigger presence in Australia before the shit really hits the fan.
Doomed
“I think we’re doomed in Auckland. Harness racing could be extinct in the north in five years. We’ve been on a slippery slope for so long and breeders have been treated like toe-rags for years.
“It’s amazed me how many people have had blinkers on and nothing’s been done. HRNZ’s been little more than an administrative organisation.”
Recently announced plans by HRNZ to introduce incentives for breeders could be too little, too late, he says.
“There’ll be an even bigger exodus of horses to Australia when we can’t get races for the good horses. Owners want good horses racing in good races.
“Copy That can race in country cups over there just about every week - the Kilmore Cup is worth $80,000 - but what have we got here? A shitty $30,000 race at Oamaru.”
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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.
