Copy That OK in five for Blacks A Fake but King Of Swing red hot from the pole
By Barry Lichter • 19 July 2021
Copy That’s chances of winning Saturday night’s A$250,000 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship in Brisbane took a blow this afternoon when Aussie superstar King Of Swing drew the pole.
Trainer Ray Green and driver Anthony Butt were happy enough when Copy That drew five on the front line, the same spot from where he nosed out King Of Swing in the Sunshine Sprint, however having the Aussie champion inside him, drawn to dominate in the lead, makes the task much harder this week.
Bookies immediately installed King Of Swing a sizzling hot $1.25 favourite, with Copy That second equal elect at $8.50 along with Expensive Ego.
The fourth favourite, Turn It Up, drawn to trail, is at long odds of $21 with top Kiwi mare Amazing Dream, nicely drawn in four, at $26 along with up-and-comer, former Kiwi Spirit Of St Louis, inside her in three.
The field, with barrier draws, is:
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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.”
