Copy That’s rolling in the sun won’t be in Queensland this December.
Copy That not a starter for Interdominions: neither Ray nor Merv keen on brutal series
By Barry Lichter • 26 September 2023
Don’t be rushing in to back Copy That for the Interdominion series in Brisbane in December - he won’t be there.
While the dual New Zealand Cup winner was one of 107 pacers nominated for the four-night series starting December 1, and he features on the fifth line of early betting, Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green says the horse won’t be going.
Green entered Copy That only because he couldn’t contact Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth before the closing of entries yesterday, and it cost nothing to nominate.
“But as I expected when I got hold of Merv he wasn’t keen.
“Four races in two weeks is a bit brutal. Back in the day horses used to cop it but nowadays most are more delicate athletes.”
The Albion Park series will see $30,000 heats on Friday, December 1 (1660m), Tuesday, December 5 (2138m) and Saturday, December 9 (2680m), with the 2680 metre final a week later.
“It’s not like you have to be in it any more,” Green said. “There are plenty of alternatives these days and the money’s not even that good. It’s not like there’s a million to the winner.”
Prizemoney for the pacing final on December 16 is A$500,000, with A$286,000 to the winner.
Green said for that reason alone, the series had not been able to tempt any other Kiwi-trained headliners. All Stars’ co-trainer Nathan Purdon said the timing and changes to racing calendars in Australia and New Zealand didn’t suit.
Lincoln Farms could still be represented at the Inters, the first at Albion Park for 22 years, with the last Queensland series on the Gold Coast in 2009.
Green has nominated Simply Sam, who finished runner-up to Fernleigh Cash at Auckland last Friday, and Queensland resident Tommy Lincoln was also entered by trainer Mark Dux.
“Simply Sam will go down to Christchurch with Copy That first - as there won’t be anything for him up here.
“And if he goes over for the Interdoms it will be on a one-way ticket. There are a lot more opportunities for him in Australia.”
Tommy Lincoln, who has won eight races and A$112,000 in Brisbane for Lincoln Farms, has not raced for five months but is back in work.
He was ready to race in August, and trialled in 1:51.8, but slipped in training, pulled a hamstring muscle and developed a haemotoma, which took time to drain.
Just two Kiwi trotters have been nominated for the Inters, the Phil Williamson-trained Love N The Port and eight-year-old Majestic Man, runner-up to Maori Law in the 2021 Interdominion Final at Menangle.
The trotting final will be run for a stake of A$250,000.
Nominations for both the Ladbrokes ID 23 series can be viewed here.
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On paper, Akuta looks home but Kevin Kline’s such a warrior he could get some of it
Improving Johnny Lincoln prevails in thrilling finish and takes aim at Sires’ Stakes
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
