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.”
More news in Harness
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Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
