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.
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.”
