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
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Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
