Copy That relaxing in his paddock at Lincoln Farms. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray: Aussie will have to wait - Copy That to spell then target the two derbies at home
By Barry Lichter • 17 December 2019
Alabar Classic winner Copy That won’t be travelling to Australia this summer, trainer Ray Green revealing today he will concentrate on the two derbies in New Zealand.
A smorgasbord of options opened up for Lincoln Farms’ star pacer after he downed New Zealand’s best three-year-olds for the second week on end at Alexandra Park last Saturday night.
But while Green and Australian owners Merv and Meg Butterworth would like to have tested their colt against the best across the Tasman, Green says the timing is against them.
“The horse has lightened up a bit and needs a break so we’ll be giving him two to three weeks in the paddock now.
“If we were to go for the Victoria Derby he’d need to be over there three weeks beforehand and it simply comes too soon.”
The A$200,000 Victoria Derby Final is run at Melton on January 25 but Copy That would also have to contest a derby heat at Ballarat a week earlier.
Copy That will instead be aimed at the $250,000 Northern Derby at Auckland on March 6, which means he cannot also contest the A$200,000 New South Wales Derby which is run a night later at Menangle.
He will then head south for the $200,000 New Zealand Derby at Addington on April 13.
Alabar Stud general manager Graeme Henley presents the Alabar Classic trophy to Copy That’s trainer Ray Green.Copy That not only stamped himself as the country’s leading three-year-old during the Interdominion carnival but he showed a rare brand of speed that few of his peers have matched in recent years when clocking 2:37.3 on Saturday night.
Without doubt Alexandra Park’s racing surface is far more conducive to fast times now but only Chase Auckland - who clocked 2:36.4 in winning the Alabar (former Elsu Classic) in 2017 - has run faster over the mobile 2200 metres in the race’s 15-year history.
Saturday night’s Interdominion winner Ultimate Sniper paced 2:40.8 in 2018, Ultimate Machete scored in 2:42 in 2016 and superstar Lazarus went 2:41.3 in 2015, underlining the statement by Alabar Stud’s Graeme Henley that the Classic was a launching pad for “great horses.”
The New Zealand three-year-old record is held by Ultimate Machete at 2:36.1.
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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.
