American Dealer roars past Shan Noble to win the Alabar Classic at Alexandra Park tonight. PHOTO: Megan Leifting/Race Images.
Ray chuffed over terrific New Year’s Eve trials by American Dealer and Copy That
By Barry Lichter • 11 December 2020
Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green came away from Alexandra Park tonight buoyed that he has outstanding chances for the two $200,000 features on New Year’s Eve.
- First American Dealer turned in a career best effort when screaming home to win the Alabar Classic, elevating him to co-favouritism for the $200,000 Harness Million
- Then Copy That ran a terrific trial for the $200,000 Auckland Cup, exploding from the tail of the field in the Franklin Cup and featuring in a head, neck and nose blanket finish for the minor money behind Spankem.
Green said he was “absolutely thrilled” with American Dealer who looked to have been set a tough task when three back on the outer and still giving leader B D Joe a three length head start turning for home.
“Down the back I thought he’d get home but not as good as that.”
American Dealer accelerated so fast when hooked out four wide it took only 100 metres for his supporters to see they were on a winner.
“He’s a great little horse and has smoked them,” Green said.
“He’s never gone a bad race and he’s getting better and better. He’s morphing into something special and looks to have the $200,000 race by the throat.
“He’ll be facing the same horses on December 31.”
Green described David Butcher’s drive on the little colt as beautiful.
Butcher pointed to the time as the reason for American Dealer’s big finish, his sizzling 2:38.2 for the mobile 2200 metres just nine tenths of a second slower than Copy That took in winning the race last year.
“Yes, he’s got options in being able to run from the front or behind, but the difference tonight is they ran hard.”
Butcher said he believed the run of the All Stars’ Shan Noble was on a par considering he sat parked for the last lap and went down by only half a length.
Copy That, widest, closes in on a wall of horses spread across the track close to home in the Franklin Cup. From the inside out it’s Bad To The Bone, South Coast Arden, Ashley Locaz, Thefixer and Spankem.McKendry gushing
Driver Maurice McKendry was full of praise for Copy That’s effort to finish fifth in the Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup, just 1.4 lengths from Spankem, whom he followed in the running.
Still second last 150 metres from home, Copy That really unleashed in the last 50 metres to feature in a busy photo finish with The Fixer second, Ashley Locaz third and South Coast Arden fourth.
“It was an excellent run,” McKendry said. “They sprinted that quick on the home turn and he’s gone super to get so close.
“He’s a bit awkward this way round, he lugs in a bit, but he was really travelling.”
Copy That, four back on the outer, would undoubtedly have run the fastest last 800 metres and 400 metres for the 2700 metre stand, the leaders clocking 56.6 and 27. The trip took 3:21.3.
Green called the run a great Auckland Cup trial and, crucially, one which wouldn’t have hurt the horse.
“He’s got home really well which is what we wanted. It would have been nice if he’d got some more money but he showed us he can get over the top of them.”
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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.
