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Copy That sails past Mighty Looee and The Empress to score at Pukekohe today.

Slick workout win shows speedy Copy That beautifully primed for Sires’ Stakes heat

Copy That served notice that he’s the one to beat in Thursday’s first Sires’ Stakes heat at Cambridge when he unleashed a powerful sprint to win his workout at Pukekohe today.

Driver Zachary Butcher gave the impressive last-start winner a perfect trip in the one-one and when he pulled out in the run home, there was never any doubt over the result.

The effort further underlined trainer Ray Green’s belief that Copy That will be even more potent racing left-handed as the colt paced beautifully in that direction today.

There was no sign of the little breaks which punctuated Copy That’s brilliant fresh-up win at Auckland, Butcher reporting only that he went to duck out on the last bend and put in one rough stride.

“But we’ve got that sorted now with the pole to keep him straight

“We’re laughing Ray,” Butcher told Green on returning, after Copy That found a 57.6 last half and 28.2 quarter to beat Mighty Looee, going away, by a head.

His overall time for the 2050 metres was 2:35.4, a slick mile rate of 2:02.

Pacemaker The Empress battled away strongly for third, three-quarters of a length away, running out a little in the straight but also earning her place on the float to Cambridge on Thursday.

Lindi Lincoln (Zachary Butcher) goes from wire to wire.Lindi Lincoln (Zachary Butcher) goes from wire to wire.The third Lincoln Farms traveller next week Lindi Lincoln showed continued improvement to lead all the way in the non-winners’ heat.

Butcher took the Sir Lincoln filly straight to the front and after setting a steady tempo she rallied well to stave off Yankee Dancer to win by a neck in 2:40, a mile rate of 2:05.6 with closing sectionals of 58.1 and 28.4.

Green is pleased with how the filly has gone ahead since her solid first-up third at Auckland eight days ago and Butcher believes the sister to Rupert Of Lincoln is in the right order to win.

“She reminds me a bit of Rupert,” said Butcher. “She lacks a bit of quick speed but she’s honest and tries hard.

“She left the gate today like she was tied to it and, if she draws well on Thursday, she’ll be right there.”

Stablemate Hampton Banner closed strongly for sixth in the same heat, improving from three back on the outer for driver Craig Sharpe, but forced four wide rounding the home turn.

Larry Lincoln after qualifying in good time today.Larry Lincoln after qualifying in good time today.Larry Lincoln qualified 5.3 seconds under time when he led a three-horse heat throughout.

Driver Andre Poutama had the Sweet Lou colt humming from the start and his winning time of 2:36.9 represented a good mile rate of 2:03.2.

Larry Lincoln closed in 58.5 and 29 to beat Marathon Man by four lengths with half a length to Greenback Boogie.

“He’s a neat little horse,” Green said. “He’ll trial next week then race at Cambridge.

“He’s no star but he’ll win a race or two.”

Joey Lincoln will be looking for a new job soon after breaking for no reason when leading the unqualified heat.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Tuesday at Addington

Race 4: The Big Lebowski
1.32pm

“His run at the cup trials on Wednesday has set him up nicely and I’m sure he’ll go well. He’s got the draw (four) and the driver (Blair Orange) and the horse is in a good place at the moment. He should be right in the fray.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday at Addington

Race 12: The Big Lebowski
7.48pm

“He comes in to six with scratchings but there’s plenty of speed inside him so he’s going to need a bit of luck. But I’m sure he’ll go a good race as he’s right on top of his game. He’s pulled up well from cup day.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.33pm

“I’d say he’s the one to beat. He certainly deserves to be favourite as the others have been around for a while. He’s a big, gangly horse who has time written all over him but he’s getting stronger all the time and he’s doing everything right now. The raw ability is there - he’s got a bit of speed - and he’s been running good fractions at the trials and getting home well.”


Race 11: Commander Lincoln
10.22pm

“Some of these look a lot better than he’s used to running against but they’re in there for a reason. He’s on the second row but he’s always running on and I’m sure he’ll go his usual, honest race.”

Race Images - Harness