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.
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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.”
