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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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
