Copy That has won four Group I races.
Ray: Our driver will be calling all the shots on Copy That but Classic only like a glorified trial
By Barry Lichter • 9 September 2022
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green will be leaving it up to driver Nathan Jack to make the call on whether to push the button on Copy That out of the gate in Saturday night’s Caduceus Classic at Melton.
The New Zealand Cup champion leaves from four on a speedy front line in the 1720 metre sprint with the connections of pole runner Tango Tara already declaring their intentions to try to hold the front.
But Green says he has no pre-set plan given how hard it is to predict how races will be run.
“The worst thing is to have a plan because as soon as you do that, you’re in trouble.
“That’s why you need good drivers. The driver can assess the situation before he goes 50 metres and act accordingly. Whether he goes to the front or trails or sits parked you can’t predict.
“We can’t be worried about it if someone is going to go silly.
Ray Green … “the worst thing is to have a plan.”“My driver is very good, he has plenty of respect out there and he knows the other drivers and the horses, which I don’t. I”ll just tell him about my horse, and his little quirks, and leave the rest to him.”
Green says he can’t fault Copy That’s condition going into Saturday night’s race.
The horse performed well in his final fast work this week, pacing his usual mile in a relaxed 2:05.
“It’s only his second start in nine months so he won’t be rock hard fit but I can’t see why he won’t go a good race. Class always prevails.
“I’m sure he’ll be competitive but we won’t be slitting our wrists if he doesn’t win. This race is purely a lead-up to the Victoria Cup (October 8). It might be a $100,000 Group I race but it’s more a glorified trial for us.
“Of course we want to win it but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t. It’s just a training run really.”
Green, however, believes Copy That’s opposition isn’t as strong as it could have been.
Only Honolua Bay (Vicbred 4yo Final) and Max Delight (2021 Victoria Cup, NSW Derby and 2019 3yo Breeders Crown) have won Group I races, whereas Copy That has four under his belt.
“It’s hard to know how good Honolua Bay is, he’s very promising obviously as he’s won his last eight on end. But he’s been beating second-raters, he hasn’t run into class horses yet.”
Max Delight, who beat Triple Eight, King Of Swing and Amazing Dream in last year’s Victoria Cup, was a legitimate contender working his way back into form.
Of the others:
- Tango Tara has a sole Group II win and has scored only one win in his last 14 starts, at Mildura.
- Torrid Saint has never won a Group race and claims only one win in his last 13 starts, clocking 1:51.7 at Melton two starts back
- Supreme Dominator’s best win was the Group II Cranbourne Cup
- Willie Go West claims only a Group II Hobart Cup and Group III Maryborough Cup and
- Rock N Roll Doo has won a Group II, the Paleface Adios at Menangle.
Safely through Saturday night, Green has the A$80,000 Kilmore Cup (2690m) on September 23 planned for Copy That.
“There are two other possible races, one the week before the Victoria Cup (the $50,000 Smoken Up Sprint (1720m) at Melton).”
Copy That races at 11.14pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
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.”
