Copy That gets the dreaded visitor’s draw - but Melbourne Merv’s bullish he can pull it off
By Barry Lichter • 5 July 2021
Copy That’s task in Saturday night’s A$250,000 The Rising Sun just got a lot harder.
By the worst of luck, Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green drew 13, the outside of the second row, for his charge at tonight’s barrier function at Albion Park.
Under the special conditions of the inaugural feature which reserves the two inside spots for three-year-olds, that means Canterbury hero Krug gets the coveted pole position whereas Ray Green’s charge gets one of the worst draws over the mobile 2138 metres.
The McCarthy powerhouse Expensive Ego drew two on the second row, following out the final wildcard inclusion Kashed Up.
Kiwi mare Amazing Dream will start from three, getting the good spot courtsey of the preferential age/sex conditions.
Copy That’s owner Merv Butterworth, who watched the draw live on television from his Melbourne home, says he doesn’t believe it will make any difference to Copy That.
“They drive like rabbits in Queensland. They like to go stupid early so they can wave to mum and say ‘look at me in the lead’.
“I have every confidence that Ray and Anthony Butt can still get the job done.
“Ants will sit back and wait for the moves and, with Copy That’s brilliant sprint, I reckon he’ll finish over the top of them, just like he did last Saturday night.
“If we’d drawn four we would have been forced to lead and then we’d have been attacked repeatedly.
“Good horses can come from bad positions in fast-run races.”
Butterworth also believes Expensive Ego will struggle to dominate from his second row draw.
“He has only one way of racing. He’s only good when he’s up pushing near the lead. He likes to get round them quickly and wear his rivals into the ground and I don’t see him getting that opportunity.”
Krug will also need a top Blair Orange drive to score, he says.
“I doubt Krug will have the early pace from one.”
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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.”
