Copy That … ready to resume at Auckland on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray’s big reveal after Cambridge workout win: On ability Copy That and Line Up are on a par
By Barry Lichter • 15 September 2019
Copy That signalled he is in the right frame of mind to test his speedy stablemate Line Up when he blazed to an impressive workout win at Cambridge on Saturday.
With no workouts at Pukekohe because of motor racing across the road, trainer Ray Green floated Copy That to Cambridge, where he is due to contest the first heat of Sires’ Stakes series on October 3.
“I thought we needed to have a look at the track to make sure we don’t get any nasty surprises on race night,” said Green of the unpredictable colt.
“And he went super. David (Butcher) never pulled the plugs and and he still posted some nice sectionals.”
Untested to win by one and a half lengths, Copy That clocked 2:45.4 for the mobile 2200 metres, time seldom bettered at the Cambridge workouts. He closed in 57 and 27.6 to register a mile rate of 2:00.9.
Butcher allowed Copy That to nestle into the early trail behind Bettor Sensation in the four-horse heat but popped out 700 metres from home when the leader started to labour.
“David just sat on him up the straight and he did it really well. He didn’t do anything wrong left-handed, which was great, and was beautiful and straight.”
Green says he expects Copy That to continue to improve this season.
“Mentally he hasn’t had his head around it, and he still hasn’t completely arrived yet, but he’s better this time in and will keep getting better and better.
“Ability wise there’s nothing between him and Line Up, although Line Up is more reliable at this stage.
“But I’m happy both colts are right where I want them. Copy That will race on Friday night and I’ll see how Line Up is, and look at the nominations, and he could run again too.”
Under the vagaries of the rating system, despite both horses having won two races, Copy That is a rating 54 horse while Line Up is now 63 after last Friday night’s demolition.
Lindi Lincoln … lazy filly but has plenty of ability.Green was also pleased with the run of Lindi Lincoln on Saturday, when she ran second to Brent Mangos’ Jetson Hunter in a non-winners’ heat.
“She rushed out to lead then took a trail behind Jetson Hunter who was on a mission.
“She’s a lazy filly and David didn’t chase her. She finished three lengths behind the winner but they gapped the rest.”
Jetson Hunter clocked 2:50.5 for the 2200 metres, a mile rate of 2:04.6, with the final 800 metres in 57.2 and 400 in 28.1.
Lindi Lincoln will also resume at Auckland on Friday when Green could have as many as six runners.
To complete the morning, stable junior Andrew Drake produced Bettor Trenz to win the rating 40 to 53 heat.
Leading all the way for Todd Mitchell, the Bettor’s Delight six-year-old clocked 2:47.7, home in 56.7 and 27.3, suggesting it won’t be long before he wins his second race.
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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.
