Debbie Green with her beloved Tommy after one of his five wins at Auckland.
Good trooper My Copy sold to Perth leaving Lincoln La Moose to hold the fort on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 21 August 2024
My Copy has been scratched from Auckland on Friday night and will do his future racing in Western Australia.
The sale of the horse brings to a close a terrific few seasons for trainer Ray Green and his wife Debbie who bought the little brother to Copy That for just $3000 as a weanling.
While the Highview Tommy five-year-old has always lived in the shadow of the dual New Zealand Cup winner, Green said he had done a great job to win seven races and $91,748.
“He’s been a really good racehorse for us all the way through - and he’s so nice to train and drive.
“It’s a shame to have to sell him - and we didn’t get what we wanted - but now that he’s on the cusp of having to race all the good ones it’s going to be hard going for him.”
On Friday night the horse, rated only R55, would have had to compete against those with ratings of R71, R69 and R66.
“Over there they’ll be able to place him much better,” Green said.
La Moose freshened
Green says you can expect a better performance from a freshened Lincoln La Moose at Auckland on Friday night.
The three-year-old was a beaten favourite after leading at his last start on August 9, surprisingly reeled in 200 metres from home.
Green told the stewards he believed the horse was feeling the effects of recent racing.
Since resuming on July 22, the three-year-old had raced five weeks on end.
That, on top of a mid-week training run when he over-raced too much, contributed to his below par effort.
“He’s obviously better if his races are spaced and I’m expecting him to go much better this time. He should be right in it.”
Green said Lincoln La Moose’s run for eighth two starts back could also be forgiven as “he had a hell trip” after driver Zachary Butcher’s aborted attempt to wrest the lead a round from home got the horse over-racing in the death seat.
A better guide to his prospects on Friday night were his two previous starts when he finished a close third behind Semba and stablemate Lincoln Lou at Auckland and a good second to the impressive Kings Watch at Cambridge.
Green said from three on the gate, he expected Lincoln La Moose to have the wood on his last start conqueror, stablemate Obadiah Dragon, drawn on the outside.
“But I’m expecting him to be running on. He gets home well if not given too much to do early. He hasn’t gone a bad race in his last six starts.”
Tyson, though obviously improving, might find the opposition in the fifth race, too much, Green said.
“His last two starts have been excellent but there are a few more two-year-olds coming on stream now, including the Purdon pair (Confederate and I Got Chills).
“He’s also drawn awkwardly (in six) and that will make it tough for him.
“I expect him to develop into a tidy horse but he’s still green and will need a bit of luck on Friday to figure.”
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
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
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.”
