Ray: Standing start no hurdle to Copy That on Thursday night - and he keeps improving

Trainer Ray Green isn’t expecting the standing start to stop Copy That’s winning sequence at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.

The classy four-year-old meets the same field he annihilated last start, when he reeled off his last half in a blistering 53.8, and Green reports he has improved since.

“I don’t think the others are in the same class as him. He’s a young horse on top of his game while most of the others have seen better days.

“Belle Of Montana is the only one of the same ilk.”

Green is thrilled with how Copy That has done since his August 6th masterclass, when his mile rate of 1:52 for the 1700 metres was just outside the New Zealand record.

“He’s actually putting on weight. Last year he was struggling to hold his condition with the hard racing.

“He is the one to beat without doubt and I don’t see the standing start as a major hurdle.

“Both times he’s raced form a stand he’s stepped well, and even at the trials he’s been good. He’s not a tricky horse at the start, he doesn’t get very excited.”

The record books show Copy That has yet to win in two standing starts but don’t let that put you off.

He began very well the first time, on February 14, but fresh-up for two months, sat parked for the last 1400 metres and ran out of condition in the run home to finish third.

Then on July 1, from a 45 metre handicap, again fresh-up, he hit his straps quickly again but started hitting the sulky wheels and bolted, pulled up mid-race by driver Maurice McKendry.

“I don’t anticipate any problems on Thursday night.”

Belle Of Montana is the logical danger, driver Zachary Butcher ecstatic at how she went for third against Copy That last time in her first race for five months.

Lincoln Farms’ next best winning chance is in the seventh race with American Dealer and Tommy Lincoln engaged.

Zachary Butcher gives the thumbs up after Tommy Lincoln’s impressive all-the-way win last start.All-the-way winner of his last two starts, Tommy Lincoln will be looking to cross from gate seven and Green says given he did it so easily last time from eight, he’s the logical leader again.

“I can’t fault what he’s doing. He’s a much stronger horse this time in.”

Butcher was impressed last time at how easily Tommy Lincoln found a 55.3 last half after being burned out the gate.

American Dealer, while drawn the pole, is in danger of being buried three deep, with Silk almost certain to find the early lead, before Tommy Lincoln comes calling.

“He’s had a few tough chores lately but hopefully this racing will see him up with the better ones by the time the (postponed) two-year-old finals are run.”

American Dealer was excellent at his last start. When finally extricated from four deep on the markers, he roared home for third to Tommy Lincoln, his closing sectionals of 55 flat and 27 flat, the best in the race.

Man Of Action meets a field of many prospects in the sixth race but from five on the gate should get his chance.

He has racked up a consistent form line and did very well to run fourth last time in a very fast race won by Christianshavtime.

Man Of Action clocked 2:40.2 for the 2200 metres and came his last mile in 1:56.6.

Best draw for some time

Captain Nemo gets his best draw for some time in the 10th race, coming out of gate two with Andrew Drake.

“He’s a good, honest horse, who’s still on the up,” says Green. “I’m not sure how much speed he’s got yet but he should get a good trip from his draw.”

From five on the second row in the same race Green says stablemate Larry Lincoln “will need the Red Sea to open up for him.

“He can’t do any work so will need a lot of luck.”

Bondi Shake has come up well but has the job ahead of him from the second row. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.The draws look to have put the kibosh on the chances of Apieceoflou and Bondi Shake in the second race.

“They’re both capable horses but in a big field will need to be lucky to get into it so I’m not holding my breath,” says Green.

Apieceoflou had no luck at his last start, inconvenienced early by a breaker and late when locking wheels. In finishing seventh he ran his last mile in 1:59.5, the best in the field and faster than the winner Marathon Man (2:00.2). He has a big finish and is a knockout chance given the breaks.

Bondi Shake will be having his first start for more than five months but has had four workouts to prepare, his latest when second to John Wayne at Pukekohe five days ago.

“I’m pleased with him but he’ll improve with the run.”