Copy That’s shining like a seal and he’s drawn to bark, but all-day grass now off the menu

Copy That, Simply Sam and Argyle are doing so well at Ballarat, trainer Ray Green today started to restrict how long they spend in their paddocks to prevent them from getting obese.

“The spring grass is so good, the two colts, in particular, are starting to get fat,” said Green determined not to undermine this weekend’s opening foray where all three horses have drawn to be strong winning chances.

Simply Sam opens the batting at Ballarat on Friday night where only the highly touted Emma Stewart-trained Captain Ravishing stands between him and the trophy for the A$15,000 Holloway Classic.

Argyle, originally slated for the same meeting, will start instead at Melton on Saturday night, where his race is worth twice the amount at A$20,000 and, under the preferential draw, he leaves from his preferred pole position over the sprint trip of 1720 metres.

Copy That also looks well placed, drawn four in the A$100,000 Caduceus Classic (mobile 1720m) at Melton, with main rival Honolua Bay stuck at two on the second line.

Green says all three horses have settled in brilliantly since arriving at Yabby Dam Farm last Thursday.

Ray Green … “Copy That looks fabulous.”“Copy That looks fabulous, he’s shining like a seal. And he’s screaming and rearing and striking. If he wasn’t like that you’d be worried.

“But as of today I’m restricting their time on the grass. I don’t want them tying up on me. They’ll still get a couple of hours out in the paddock but not all day like they have been. They’ll be obese if I don’t regulate their intake.”

Even Argyle, who was initially more tired than his stablemates after his first big trip away from home, was now eating everything put in front of him.

“He was pretty keen this morning when I bowled him up the straight track.”

Simply Sam did the most work on the 1200 metre track, his opening race being a day earlier than the other pair.

“I rolled him up four times. We didn’t go terribly hard but he felt good.”

Green said while Simply Sam hasn’t raced for eight weeks, he went strongly in a workout behind Copy That at Pukekohe 11 days ago.

Green is warming to the chances of Argyle on Saturday night, even though he is the lowest rated horse in the rating 67 to 75 event.

“If he led, he’d be a chance. When he’s drawn nice and handy, he’s led nearly every time.”

Green is rapt with the condition of Copy That who did two laps of the straight track, free-legged, this morning.

“I’ll hopple him up tomorrow but he’s in good shape, he’s holding his condition well.”

Green was delighted with Copy That’s draw for the Caduceus, which gives new driver Nathan Jack a shot at the front, even though last week’s early leaders Tango Tara and Torrid Saint are inside him.

Green is sure of one thing, if Copy That leads and Honolua Bay comes looking, the Aussie won’t be gifted the front like last week - “he’ll be hung out to dry.

“If we can win this race, our expenses for the trip will be well and truly covered. It would be nice if they all won!”

Friday night

Simply Sam, to be driven by Nathan Jack, races at 11pm NZ time at Ballarat on Friday night.

Saturday night

Copy That races at 11.12pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.

Argyle races at 12.13pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.