Trainer Ray Green gets a good report on Copy That who had all the gear on at Pukekohe today.
With all that gear on Copy That looks like he’s from Mars but could he be a shooting star?
By Barry Lichter • 4 May 2019
Some radical gear changes helped enigmatic two-year-old Copy That show his true ability at today’s Pukekohe workouts.
And trainer Ray Green may now start the unpredictable colt at Auckland on Friday night along with his two-year-old stablemates Sir Tiger and Double Or Nothing who both trialled well.
Copy That has tested trainer Ray Green’s patience on numerous occasions, mainly with his habit of breaking on the same corner at Pukekohe during his trials and workouts.
But today newly sporting peek a boo blinkers, two head poles and a mini bit, Copy That was on his best behaviour.
Zac Butcher … Copy That is not far from winning a race.After trailing fifth in his seven-horse heat, driver Zachary Butcher started a move down the back straight on Copy That who showed good speed to gather in the leaders three wide, and maintain a sprint in the run home to grab a half head win over Flying Finn.
And afterwards Butcher had a lot to say about the performance - all of it good for a change.
“He never put a foot wrong and steered right,’’ Butcher said.
“I let him take his time and just flop round early. And I wanted him to get round the final turn doing it on his on terms too.
“I clocked him home in 56 and 27.4 and if I’d run him round the bend he’d have run 27.’’
Butcher reported his whip also became entangled in Copy That’s tail when he gave him a flick early in the run home.
Butcher said Copy That’s time for the 2050 metres of 2:36.6 (mile rate 2:02.9) showed he was ready to go.
“If I hadn’t known anything about the horse I’d have said he’s not far away from winning a race.’’
Green didn’t think going left-handed today was a factor in the American Ideal colt not galloping, rather pointing to all the gear changes he’d made.
“He’s definitely got some speed but he needs manners as well. Today’s the first time he’s got round at the workouts this time in without breaking.’’
Green revealed he and wife Debbie had turned down a solid offer for Copy That five months ago after he won two trials. And another agent called during the week to see if the colt was for sale.
“But I told them he’s not ready to be sold as he has a few greenness issues to address. He’s got a bit more speed than Sir Tiger and hopefully he turns out to be as tough as him.’’
Sir Tiger is hard on the back of Copy That who finishes too well for Flying Finn, inner.One who doesn’t have a greenness problem is Sir Tiger who is the consummate professional.
Sir Tiger trailed third in the same heat today for driver Andrew Drake who never pulled the horse off Copy That’s back in the run home, finishing fourth, two lengths from the winner.
Sir Tiger will race on Friday night before going south to Christchurch for two feature races at Addington:
- The $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final on May 17 and
- The $150,000 Two-Year-Old Emerald at the Harness Jewels. Sir Tiger sits 10th in the qualifying order for the Jewels.
Andre Poutama pulls Double Or Nothing out three wide to start his run from the back.Double Or Nothing, 11th in the order, wasn’t asked for too much today, after a searching workout when second last week.
Driver Andre Poutama kept him second last in the running of the non winners’ 2050 metre heat and he was last and three wide turning for home.
“He got home really well,’’ said Poutama. “And he kept coming.’’
Double Or Nothing was fifth at the post, winner Vespa nosing out Sole Ambition in 2:38.6, home in 59.5 and 28.3.
Billy Lincoln bowling along in the lead today for Zachary Butcher.Green was very pleased with the performance of Billy Lincoln who won the learners’ heat over 2050 metres.
It was the two-year-old’s first workout and first look at the mobile gate and when he proved hesitant at first to move up to the gate, Butcher thought ’Oh oh, here we go’.
“But when the gate went he came out so fast it was like he was tied to it,’’ Butcher said.
“He showed a bit of speed and I was rapt with how he went for a big two-year-old.’’
Billy Lincoln led throughout and staved off a determined challenge by Mimi E Coco, a Mach Three-Molly Darling filly, to get the decision by a nose.
Green says Billy Lincoln has taken a bit of time to come to it but being by Bettor’s Delight would just keep improving.
Billy Lincoln’s grand dam Armbro Innocence won 15 races so he has the pedigree to succeed.
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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.
