Agonisingly close for Ray and Copy That but he’s excited at the future for his classy pair

Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is looking forward to some “serious sport” for the rest of the season after huge runs by Copy That and Line Up to place in today’s $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington.

In a desperately close finish to the three-year-old cup day feature, Copy That thundered home to miss by only centimetres and pacemaker Line Up held on bravely for third behind the All Stars’ favourite One Change.

“They’re both morphing into very serious racehorses,” Green said. “If Purdon’s favourite hadn’t drawn perfectly and got that two hole trip (in the trail), we could have quinellaed the race.

“You’d have to say we were unlucky not to win - Line Up was huge and Copy That was spectacular as usual. I’m obviously disappointed not to win but we’ve made a statement and the All Stars know they have serious opposition in the future.

“If we draw right in the derbies, they’ll have us to beat.

“It’s all pretty exciting as we’ve got serious racehorses with a lot of serious races to go for, right up until the Jewels. They can pick up quite a bit of money in the next six months.

“We might even look at the Victoria Derby but I’m a bit scared to send them over to Australia as I may never see them again!”

Earlier this season, Copy That was bought from Green’s wife Debbie by leading Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth and Line Up was prised away from Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street by leviathan Sydney owner Emilio Rosati.

The Australians were at Addington to admire their charges today but it’s fair to say they had better views than Green who watched the race from the top of the stabling area.

One Change (Natalie Rasmussen) capitalises on a perfect trip to win the Sires’ Stakes from Copy That, flying home late wide out, and Line Up. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.And it was some minutes afterwards before Green even knew the result of the big race which he won 10 years ago for Lincoln Farms with Sir Lincoln.

“There were thousands of people there but I managed to squeeze my way to the front.

“I saw Line Up leading in and they weren’t collaring him and then I heard them say Copy That was coming but they were running towards me and I couldn’t tell how close he got.

“Then the way they were talking I thought for a second he might have won it.”

Green received terrific reports from both his drivers.

David Butcher reported Copy That put in a few steps when he asked him to sprint with the three wide train into the back straight.

And Copy That also looked to get slightly off balance when Butcher eased him off the back of Bad To The Bone, driven by his son Zachary, in the run home.

But Copy That really unleashed, recording the fastest sectionals in the race, his last 800 metres in a sizzling 54.68, nearly a second faster than the winner, and 400 in 27.53.

“I might end up having to put a single spreader on him until he strengthens up but I’m sure we’ll sort him out. And when we do he could be some horse.

“You should have seen him carrying on today, both before and after the race. He was walking round the barn like a big stallion, screaming and carrying on, striking and kicking the walls.

“Everyone was saying I should geld him but if every boy who whistled at a girl had his balls cut out, we’d be in a sorry state.”

Sydney-based Kiwi Anthony Butt told Green Line Up was “a fantastic little horse.”

“He did a bit of work to find the lead and Ants was very pleased with how he went afterwards.”

At the line Line Up was still boxing on, one and a quarter lengths back, holding a half head margin over Barry Purdon’s Bad To The Bone, giving the North Island the second, third and fourth placings.

Copy That and Line Up will now return north to prepare for the big three-year-old races at Auckland over Christmas.

“Copy That is not eligible for the Sales’ Series race but there are other races for him like the Alabar Classic.”