Copy That v King Of Swing a mouth-watering clash in Saturday night’s Sunshine Sprint
By Barry Lichter • 15 July 2021
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is in a unique position of being able to compare the merits of Copy That and King Of Swing, who are expected to fight out the finish of Saturday night’s A$100,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park in Brisbane.
Green not only trains Copy That but developed and trained King Of Swing at Lincoln Farms until his sale for big money to Perth at the end of 2017.
So when he says he believes Copy That has a little more sharp speed than the now Aussie champion, and that he’ll be using his barrier advantage at the start of the big sprint, it only underscores why bookies have the Kiwi a $2.10 favourite to beat King Of Swing ($2.30).
“Anthony (Butt) does his own form, and he’ll make the call, but he won’t be going back,” says Green of the likely tactics for the winter carnival speed highlight.
“It’s the first time he’s seen the gate for three starts and he’s pretty quick out. I’m picking he’ll definitely be having a dab at the front and from there he’ll be hard to beat.
“It’s difficult to predict what other people will do out there but hopefully one of those on the inside doesn’t try to hold him out.”
Queensland experts are saying, however, they’ve seldom seen such a fast front row with the three inside horses, Bright Energy, Crunch Time and Alta Orlando all rockets, and former Kiwi Turn It Up a jet from the outside.
While King Of Swing is handicapped by being wide on the second row, his racing pattern is also to go forward and apply the pressure, raising the distinct possibility that the Albion Park track record of 1:50.4 could be under threat.
The mark is shared by two horses, who both set it at the Brisbane July winter carnival, Cruz leading all the way last year in the Sunshine Sprint and champion I’m Themightyquinn coming from the one-one at the bell to win the Wondai’s Mate in 2014.
Being on the speed at Albion Park is a huge advantage in mile racing and that’s why Green believes Copy That will have an edge on King Of Swing.
The only time King Of Swing has been beaten in his last 11 starts was when he started from the second row and didn’t lead. In his 21 starts since joining the McCarthy stable he has led in 18 of his 21 starts.
King Of Swing is a class act, says former trainer Ray Green.His record from his Sydney base is a remarkable 17 wins, three seconds and a third, his fastest mile time when winning the March, 2020 Miracle Mile in 1:48.
“I have huge respect for him, he’s a beautiful horse, a real class act and he’s won $2.3 million,” says Green.
“He’s so powerful and is at the top of his game so he won’t be a pushover but I think our fella has a bit more sharp speed.”
King Of Swing finished out of the top three only twice in the time Green trained the youngster - in his last two starts for Lincoln Farms - when he racked up seven wins and four seconds from 13 starts, bankrolling $236,244 for John and Lynne Street, Neville McAlister and Rod and Sue Fleming, mostly through winning the Breeders Crown as a two-year-old.
His bankroll has now topped $2.3 million, his career record 36 wins and 15 placings from 70 starts.
Green says Copy That has coped well with his two races since arriving in Brisbane and is actually on the improve, his narrow defeat in last week’s Rising Sun only serving to further tighten him.
“I can’t fault him. I haven’t tested him this week done, he’s just done a bit of pacework, but both he and American Dealer sprinted up well today.”
Copy That, widest, is just nabbed by Amazing Dream up the marker pegs in last week’s Rising Sun. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
$5.50 for American Dealer
Green believes American Dealer is a definite winning chance in the A$30,000 South East Derby on Saturday night and is surprised he’s only the $5.50 early third favourite.
“The bookies never make him favourite, no matter what he does, but that could be to their peril.
American Dealer, outer, scores a brave win in the Rising Sun Consolation. PHOTO: Dan Costello.“I know he’s drawn six, and there’s a bit of speed inside him, but I think they’ll string out pretty quickly.
“You certainly wouldn’t leave him out of your permutations. He’s tough and is definitely on the improve.”
America Dealer was superb last Saturday night, winning the Rising Sun Consolation, shuffled back after doing work early then coming with a fast and sustained sprint from four back on the outer.
Green has scratched Tommy Lincoln from Saturday night after an abscess in his foot flared up again.
“We had trouble with it last week but hopefully it won’t be one of those that lingers. We’ll have to get it out before we race him again, hopefully next week.”
American Dealer races at 7.44pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Copy That races at 10.15pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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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.
