Copy That pictured at his Woongoolba stable looking fit and ready for Saturday night. PHOTO: Brittany Graham.
Cards fall best for American Dealer on Saturday with Copy That drawn to need luck
By Barry Lichter • 1 July 2021
Barrier draws at Albion Park on Saturday point to American Dealer as Lincoln Farms’ best winning chance of the night.
Trainer Ray Green lines up Copy That from the inside of the second row in the fifth race, Tommy Lincoln from two on the second row in the ninth race and American Dealer, drawn four in a seven-horse field in the last, all to be driven by top horseman Anthony Butt.
“On that American Dealer looks our best shot,” says Green. “He trained well on Wednesday morning and I can’t imagine him not going better than last time.”
American Dealer came from the second row for fourth in his Queensland debut on June 22, finishing on well on a very fast 54.5 last half by the winner Ilikemebettor.
The horse had a little trouble pacing roughly on the bends that day but Green isn’t expecting any repetition of that on Saturday night.
“I’ve tightened up his gear a bit and he hasn’t put a foot wrong since. We also did a rebuild of the walls of his feet which were very thin, making it hard to nail a shoe on.
American Dealer … looks well placed in the last race at Albion Park on Saturday night.“They basically build on a layer of bog which makes the foot bigger so he should be a lot happier.”
Green said American Dealer’s blood test yesterday came back showing he was slightly dehydrated.
“But that’s nothing we can’t rectify.”
The only genuine rival he faces on Saturday, Talent To Spare, has the advantage of leaving from two on the gate, from where he’ll either lead or trial.
“I’ll leave it up to our driver to decide what to do from four,” says Green. “But I’m confident he’ll be hard to beat regardless of where he ends up.”
The same can’t be said for stable star Copy That in the A$25,000 Wondai’s Mate, the 1660 metre feature named after the former star pacer who retired in 1987 the winner of 73 races of his 121 races.
“We’re going to need a lot of luck from where he’s drawn. Spankem and Colt Thirty One aren’t slugs and have drawn the front row so should be on pace whereas we’ll be behind a bunch of horses which makes it a bit awkward for us.
“He’ll cop a lot of traffic. You can’t have a plan from there - Anthony will have to make the calls.”
But Green says with Saturday’s race only a lead-up to the A$250,000 The Rising Sun the following week, Copy That doesn’t need a gut buster.
“We’ll be driving him for a soft trip, with a hope and a prayer, but hopefully he’ll get a suck along and we can see him roar up the straight. He seems very good. His blood came back super yesterday.”
Tommy Lincoln, the subject of significant offers after his all-the-way opening 1:53.8 win at Albion Park, jumps from 1660 metres to 2138 metres on Saturday but will still be very well fancied to beat the McCarthy rep Ilikemebettor.
Green says he can’t fault the horse who needs only reasonable luck from the second row to be very hard to beat.
Copy That races at 8.43pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
Tommy Lincoln races at 10.40pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
American Dealer races at 11.35pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
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Sugar Ray Lincoln and Kevin Kline in fighting form for Friday night at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
5.33pm
“He hasn’t raced for more than four months but he’s trotting well in training and has had a couple of workouts. He steps well so if Fergie can keep him away from the others, and he slides on from the 20 metre mark, he could even lead, and that would make him the one to beat. It doesn’t take much for him to lose concentration though.”
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“He hasn’t raced for a while but should go well. He finished off his workout really well on a 26.9 quarter for a close fourth behind some good ones (Greased Lightnin, Beetastic and Diamonds Are Forever). He beat himself in his last few runs by racing too keenly but he’s capable enough.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.30pm
“She went to the line under a hold last week. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that. She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home. Joyride looks the one to beat.”
Race 3: Tyson
6.23pm
“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week. He never got the chance to get out. From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.52pm
“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.52pm
“Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray. He closed fast from the back last Friday and is better suited over 2200 metres this week.”
