Ray and his charges chilled for Addington pipe-openers on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2020
Trainer Ray Green might have had to chip the ice off his car windscreen this morning but the cold snap in Christchurch isn’t bothering his two charges Copy That and Platinum Stride.
In Canterbury primarily for the $200,000 New Zealand Derby on April 3, Green reports both horses have been eating and drinking well since their arrival last Sunday.
“Platinum Stride was a little insecure to start with - it was his first plane ride and he’s in a strange place, but after being a little stressed out he’s handling it well now.
“And Copy That is in really good nick. He handled his trip down for the Sires’ Stakes last November like an old hand and he’s just as chilled this time.
“I trained him a bit yesterday, nothing serious, but he felt pretty sharp and he looks nice and healthy.”
Ray Green … “these races aren’t their main missions.”Green isn’t too worried about how the pair will go on Friday night at Addington where they’ve both drawn badly in what amounts only to pipe-openers.
Copy That drew eight on the front line in the Vero Flying Stakes, with his arch rival One Change uncannily spotted again in pole position. And Platinum Stride is just as badly off in seven, two from the outside, in the Sires’ Stakes heat with All Stars’ runners in one, two and three, and favourite Krug drawn to get a sweet trip from one on the second row.
“They’ve got bad draws but these aren’t their main missions,” said Green who is aiming at the derby with Copy That and $50,000 Welcome Stakes with Platinum Stride.
“I anticipate Copy That will go a solid race, as he usually does.”
Green says new driver Blair Orange is already familiar with Copy That having driven him to an unlucky sixth in the cup day trial last November.
Orange would discover a much more professional pacer now, one who has not been out of the money in his last 12 starts.
Copy That is coming off the back of his unlucky run for second in the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park when he was the victim of a Natalie Rasmussen pushout then got held up behind tiring pacemaker Tommy Lincoln turning for home.
Platinum Stride’s last run was his best, when he was snookered four back on the pegs in the Young Guns Final but whistled up the passing lane late for third to favourites Krug and It’s All About Faith.
Platinum Stride (Maurice McKendry) roars home late for third in the Young Guns Final after being trapped on the markers.
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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.
