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Former owner Debbie Green greets Copy That and Maurice McKendry after his supersonic last start win.
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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.