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
By Barry Lichter • 28 September 2019
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.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 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.
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.”
