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.
More news in Harness
Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too
Canny Fergie drive gets Lincoln Lover home at Taupo - and it won’t be his last win
Thoughts for Lincoln Farms’ groupie Margaret Rabbitt after Johnny Lincoln braves it out
Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
