It took American Dealer a few days to settle in at West Melton but he’s picked up well now. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray expecting Lincoln Farms pair to go well - but Ashburton isn’t Grand Final day
By Barry Lichter • 25 October 2020
Copy That and American Dealer have settled in well to their new surroundings in Christchurch but trainer Ray Green isn’t setting the bar too high for their assignments at Ashburton on Monday.
Green says he’ll be happy just to see the pair go well in their final prep races for the $540,000 New Zealand Cup and $150,000 Sires’ Stakes Final.
But with cup favourites Self Assured and Spankem in the Flying Stakes and hot favourite Krug in the final Sires’ Stakes heat, Green says he will get a good guide as to where his charges sit in the pecking order.
Green reports American Dealer was a bit unsettled when he first arrived at Ken Barron’s Toliman Lodge in West Melton last Thursday.
“We had no dramas on the flight. The little fella was a bit stressed out for the first couple of days, excited and worried - but it’s his first time away from home.
“And they’re both good now, eating and drinking well.”
Green gave the pair quiet runs yesterday, American Dealer bowling around behind a couple of Barron’s horses, but not asked for anything serious.
“They should be as sharp as last time they raced which was only a couple of weeks ago.”
From the pole, Green expects American Dealer to secure a perfect trip.
“It’s hard to know what the others will do but we get out well enough to be handy. In these small fields they often walk and sprint home.
“He’s already qualified for the final so there’s no urgency - we don’t have to win it.”
On form, if American Dealer doesn’t lead for David Butcher he’ll trail It’s All About Faith, drawn alongside him in two.
Just when Krug, drawn the outside of the gate, makes his move is impossible to predict, driver Blair Orange sure to have options with only a small field to get round.
Copy That takes on the All Stars’ heavy guns for the first time at Ashburton on Monday.Green expects Orange to settle midfield when he reunites with Copy That in the Flying Stakes.
“There are a few against Copy That who are more experienced from a stand. He steps better than some and not as well as others, so I see him midfield.
“He’s never gone away badly from a stand - he’s always reasonable and safe - so he shouldn’t be far off them when they settle.
“But it’s a small field so even if he’s last in the running he won’t be far away.”
Green isn’t fazed by the fact Copy That meets the might of the All Stars, whose arsenal of Self Assured and Spankem has been strengthened with the arrival of Ashley Locaz, back from a Brisbane campaign.
“I saw Ashley Locaz at Pukekohe before I came down and he looks excellent.
“Copy That took care of them comfortably in Auckland - he’s clearly better than the ones up north - but it’s a different ball game down here.
“I’m not expecting too much from him on Monday. It would be nice to win it but it won’t be a disaster if he doesn’t. So long as he goes well, I’ll be happy.”
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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.
