At last, a front row draw for Copy That which gives him a great Swing at the King
By Barry Lichter • 13 July 2021
Trainer Ray Green finally got his wish for a good draw for Copy That when the horse drew the front row in Saturday night’s $A100,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park.
But best of all, the two main rivals for the Lincoln Farms’ star have both drawn badly, Aussie champion King Of Swing in gate 11 on the outside of the second line and Brisbane hero Colt Thirty One inside him in 10.
Copy That has turned in two exceptional runs at the Queensland carnival so far, winning the A$30,000 Wondai’s Mate from an impossible position on the home turn and running a close second in last Saturday night’s A$250,000 Rising Sun after striking early interference from the outside of the second row.
The mobile 1660 metres will suit Copy That, who is a brilliant beginner, and gate five gives him the chance to fulfil Green’s prediction that they “won’t see which way he went if he draws an alley.”
Rising Sun Consolation winner American Dealer, on the other hand, is lumbered with the outside of the front line in the A$30,000 South East Derby, but does not have to lock horns with Krug who is a notable omission after his fourth in the Rising Sun.
And Friday night’s impressive winner Tommy Lincoln is also out of luck drawn three on the second row in the A$30,000 Four-Year-Old Championship.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
