Copy That is an old hand at travelling now but for Simply Sam and Argyle it’s their first big trip.
Copy That ogled at airport as Lincoln Farms’ trio arrives safe and sound in Melbourne
By Barry Lichter • 1 September 2022
Copy That, Simply Sam and Argyle have arrived safely in Australia, a little tired but seemingly happy in their new surroundings at Ballarat.
Trainer Ray Green was at Yabby Dam Farm on the outskirts of the town at 10pm last night to welcome Lincoln Farms’ trio after their 10-hour door-to-door journey from Pukekohe.
And today he took Copy That and Simply Sam out for a quiet jog, opting to leave Argyle in his paddock, looking around, eyes bulging, at the impressive panorama.
“Argyle looked a bit more tired than the other two - a big journey like that can be stressful for them first time.
“They didn’t eat up last night, mind you I didn’t expect them to, but I think they’ll be fine in another two or three days. I won’t do anything serious with them until they’re over the trip.”
Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth’s first report on Copy That from his float driver Grant Campbell brought a smile to his face.
On arrival at the airport in Melbourne at 7.15pm, Campbell said the New Zealand Cup winner caught the eye of fellow truck drivers as he crossed the tarmac.
“They thought the horse Grant was leading was a thoroughbred because he looked sensational, and they wanted to know who he was.”
Butterworth said Copy That’s splint bone fracture last December could have been a blessing in disguse and hopefully he might now show “he is better than best and more likely a super horse.”
Green said he heard people had been drooling over the horse, who has really matured during his injury-enforced break, but tempered the observation by saying “it’s not a beauty contest.”
Green would rather see the horse judged by his performance in the $100,000 Melton Classic in nine days, the first of three, or possibly four races in Victoria, culminating in the $300,000 Victoria Cup on October 8.
Green says Simply Sam and Argyle are likely to start their Victoria Derby campaigns a day earlier than Copy That, at Ballarat on September 9.
Simply Sam, rated 76 in Australia, will contest the A$15,000 Holloway Classic for three-year-olds while Argyle, rated only 67, could either join him or run in a rating race for A$10,000.
Green said he was lucky to be stabled at Pat Driscoll’s lavish property, where he helped trainer Anton Golino when stranded by Covid on his last trip to Victoria with Copy That.
“It’s a great facility, mind boggling, and cost millions. They’ve got two treadmills, a walker, a 50 metre pool, a 1200m straight line track another 1000m track, a 10km jog track and even a vet clinic where they can do surgeries.
“It’s a big operation. There are a lot of thoroughbred yearlings and weanlings running round the paddocks and the whole place is about 700 acres (280ha).”
Green said he wouldn’t want for anything during the campaign which was away to a safe start.
“So far, so good.”
More news in Harness
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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.”
