Copy That is thriving at Yabby Dam Farm in Ballarat ahead of his campaign opener on Saturday night.
Copy That’s shining like a seal and he’s drawn to bark, but all-day grass now off the menu
By Barry Lichter • 6 September 2022
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.
More news in Harness
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
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.”
