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.
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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.
