Copy That’s Victorian campaign opens with a frustrating false start for Ray at the airport
By Barry Lichter • 15 December 2021
The frustrations of flying in the Covid era hit home today when Copy That got away to Melbourne but his trainer didn’t.
Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green thought he had done everything necessary to board his Air New Zealand flight this morning but he was turned back because the only evidence he had of returning a negative Covid test in the last 72 hours was in a text on his phone.
The upshot of the hiccup is that even with the correct documentation tomorrow morning the 24 hour delay means he will not be able to train or supervise the horse’s tilt at Saturday night’s A$75,000 Cranbourne Cup.
“I have to self-isolate for 72 hours without going anywhere so it means I won’t even be able to go to the races. If I’d been able to leave this morning I would have been out of jail the morning of the race.
“I’ve been a bit stressed out today but I’m mentally prepared for anything now, even a plane crash.”
Trainer Ray Green will have to wait until after Saturday night’s Cranbourne Cup to be reunited with Copy That.Nevertheless Green is happy that Copy That had no such hold-up and is expected to reach Chris Svanosio’s stable at Romsey, 45 minutes from Melton, by about 7.30pm Australian time.
“At least they’ll get a chance to know him over the next couple of days when he has a jog. He’ll scream and snort when he gets to the races but he’s not a difficult horse to drive.”
Green isn’t up on the gate speed of all the runners inside Copy That on Saturday night when he starts from six on the gate over the 2555 metre feature sponsored by Copy That’s owner Merv Butterworth.
But he knows the ability of star mare Amazing Dream, who is in three, and will ensure the race is no gimmee for Copy That.
“I hope he doesn’t end up having a hard trip - if he goes forward he might end up parked.
“But he’ll have plenty of time to recover afterwards as each of his races over there is well spaced.”
Green’s confidence that he has Copy That in a really good space was underlined when the horse made sbort work of his rivals at last Saturday’s Pukekohe workouts.
After starting from 30 metres behind, driver Maurice McKendry had Copy That in the trail behind Bad To The Bone over the 2500 metre trip and easly reeled in his rival in the run home to score by a head with two and a half lengths to Cruzee Mach.
His time of 3:15.8 represented a casual mile rate of 2:06, with the closing splits in 57.5 and a slick 26.5. “Maurice said he felt super. His last two starts have been exceptional so I think he’s right on his game. “None of his races over there will be easy but he’s ready to go a good one.”
At least Green won’t have to shack up in some pokey roadside motel while he recovers from his disrupted travel. Butterworth has organised his digs during the campaign at the luxury Cleveland Winery Resort just 10 minutes from where the horse is stabled.
The pan fried Barramundi fillet with Spanish chorizo, roasted potato and spicy spring vegetable broth sounds like just the job Ray. And don’t forget the chilled Cleveland chardonnay.
Copy That races at Cranbourne at 11.17pm NZ time on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
