Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street, right, and business manager Ian Middleton hold the winning rug for the Lincoln Farms Founders Cup won by Lincoln Farms’ star Copy That. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Copy That clinical in Founders Cup, taking his winning strike rate to an excellent 50%
By Barry Lichter • 26 February 2021
Copy That blew off the cobwebs for next week’s $47,500 City Of Auckland Free-for-all with little more than a jog round in tonight’s The Founders Cup at Alexandra Park.
In winning the Lincoln Farms’ sponsored race, Lincoln Farms’ stable star had to pace only 2:40.7, more than four seconds slower than his 2:36.4 win over the same 2200 metres trip on the course last September.
The fresh-up win was never in doubt after driver Maurice McKendry was easily able to cross from the outside of the gate to lead on the first turn.
“They were never going to stop me getting the front,” McKendry told trainer Ray Green afterwards.
“Maurice was pretty high on him and said he just jogged it,” Green said.
McKendry never put Copy That under pressure as he reeled off a 55.6 last half and 26.4 quarter to beat Christianshavtime by one and three quarter lengths with the same margin to third-placed Spirit Of St Louis.
Copy That jogs it, one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Christianshavtime. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.The easiest $15,675 Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth will ever make had the owner “pretty excited” in a post race phone call to Green.
It was the American Ideal four-year-old’s 16th win from only 32 starts and took his career tally to $332,504.
“He’s pulled up really well and we’ll be here next week for the City Of Auckland Free-For-All,” Green said.
Following that Copy That will trek south to contest the Group I $100,000 Breckon Farms/All Stars Racing Easter Cup (3200m) at Addington on April 3.
Butterworth was left ruing what might have been an hour earlier when She Reigns, whom he races with Team Rogerson, staged a spectacular comeback after an early mistake to run a close third to Emma Frost in the $27,930 Group III Northern Trotting Stakes.
Beaten only two lengths after starting from the 30 metre back mark, She Reigns trotted 3:24.5 for the 2700 metres, just six tenths of a second outside Pretty Majestic’s New Zealand mares’ record.
Earlier, American Dealer lost no friends for Friday’s $200,000 Woodlands Northern Derby after having to sit parked for the last lap of the Derby Prelude.
Having his first start for two months the little fighter stuck gamely to finish a neck and three lengths from winner Krug, who held off a spirited late dash from It’s All About Faith.
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Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
