Ray Green has been keeping busy working horses at Yabby Dam Farms outside Ballarat.
Hooray: Ray coming home in three weeks and Copy That might not be far behind him
By Barry Lichter • 9 February 2022
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is counting down the days until he can fly home - but he hasn’t been idle while locked out of New Zealand.
Green, who has been stuck in Victoria since the end of December when Copy That fractured a splint bone, is booked to return on a March 2 flight, under the Government’s new isolate-at-home regime.
And there’s a chance Copy That won’t be far behind him to continue his rehab at Lincoln Farms after another excellent vet report.
Green, 76, will be fighting fit when he rejoins the team at Pukekohe after a stint helping out trainer Anton Golino at Pat Driscoll’s showcase Yabby Dam Farms which covers 263ha on the outskirts of Ballarat.
The 50 metre pool at Yabby Dam Farms on the outskirts of Ballarat.“I’ve been here for the last three weeks, driving up to eight horses in a morning - it’s keeping me off the streets.
“They’ve got some beautiful animals here, with international pedigrees, and I’ve driven Im Ready Jet a couple of times. She’d be one of the best trotters in the country.”
Im Ready Jet, who has won 16 of 36 starts, finished third in last weekend’s Great Southern Star Final after a sensational recovery from an early break in a heat.
Yabby Dam Farms, where Aucklander Jack MacKinnon co-trained until last August, isn’t far from Laura Dixon’s Dowling View equine rehabilitation centre where Copy That has been resting since his injury.
“The experts were very happy with his latest X-ray and (respected vet) Alastair MacLean predicts he’ll be good to go home by the end of the month.
“It will be up to the people at the Ballarat Vet Clinic and (owner) Merv Butterworth of course but everything is looking good.
“He’ll be X-rayed again in a couple of weeks and we should know then what we’re doing. But I think it would be best for him to finish his rehab at home and then we can start him back training.”
Copy That’s New Zealand Cup win was the highlight of a memorable season.Outstanding season
While nothing went right on Copy That’s aborted summer campaign, Harness Racing New Zealand figures show just what a roll Green, Butterworth and the horse had been on right until the last month of the extended 17 month season.
Copy That seemingly topped the list of all performers in New Zealand, earning $638,142 in 22 starts, the result of 13 wins and five placings. (His final start at Cranbourne is not listed but earned him $1500.)
Among his wins were three at Group I level, the New Zealand Cup, Taylor Mile and Messenger, plus three at Group II.
But when Australian earnings are added to America-bound Amazing Dream’s tally of $315,961, she becomes the season’s heroine. Her 10 starts in Australia after the Harness Jewels saw her record four wins and five placings and earn another A$447,350.
Next closest on money won was Self Assured with $631,562 from eight wins and, incredibly, just $557 behind, was the outstanding trotter Sundees Son with $631,005.
Three trotters made the top dozen, the others Bolt For Brilliance with $340,605 and three-year-old Five Wise Men, winner of nine of his 11 starts, with $229,809.
The top dozen money earners in the extended 17 month season.
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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.”
