Ray Green with Copy That after his Vero Flying Stakes demolition at Addington last week. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Derby dream over, Ray scrambles to get himself and Copy That home before lockdown
By Barry Lichter • 23 March 2020
As Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green works to get himself and Copy That home from Christchurch before the Covid-19 lockdown takes effect he is philosophical about missing out on the chance to win the New Zealand Derby.
“It’s just my luck that I’ve got the favourite for the Derby and they can the race but we’ve just got to take it on the chin and move on.”
Copy That shot to clear $2.50 favouritism for Friday week’s $200,000 New Zealand Derby after he mauled his opposition in last week’s Vero Flying Stakes at Addington.
But instead of putting the finishing touches to the country’s benchmark three-year-old, and talented two-year-old Platinum Stride, Green is now scrambling to get them back to Pukekohe.
“I’ve got them booked to come home tomorrow, on the priority list, but not even Majestic know if they’ll be able to still operate.
Blair Orange brings Copy That back to scale. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.“The Government hasn’t given us much time but if the horses can’t travel we’ll have to make other arrangements - hopefully Ken Barron and Blair Orange will be able to look after them down here.”
Green himself can’t get home until Thursday.
“I couldn’t get a flight before then - there’s only one a day. But if they let people repatriate from overseas surely they won’t stop me from going to the North Island?”
Green, 74, who says he’s never been much good at swimming, thinks its surreal how just a few hours earlier he was making arrangements for Copy That on race night, after Harness Racing New Zealand banned anyone over 70 from going to the track.
“And now we’re talking about all racing behind stopped. But the Government is doing the right thing. They have to control the virus and stamp it out.
“Australia looks to be in deep trouble. It’s got a foot-hold over there and they have a huge population compared with us.”
Green says while racing is still going ahead in Australia, there’s no chance Copy That can get there to claim the big three-year-old purses.
When the horse’s owner Merv Butterworth tried to book stablemate Bettor My Dreamz on a plane across the Tasman, he was told the earliest flight was likely to be in July.
“I don’t think we’re talking weeks with this lockdown, I could see it being months.”
* Franklin Park, adjacent to Lincoln Farms, has been shut down immediately so no horses can be trained on the track until further notice.
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Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
