Owner Phil Cook greets Riverman Sam after his win at Cambridge in June, in stronger company than he meets on Thursday. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Left-handed Cambridge track suits both Riverman Sam and My Copy on Thursday
By Barry Lichter • 13 December 2022
A switch to Cambridge’s left-handed way of going could be all that Riverman Sam and Copy That need to get a slice of the stake in the feature race at Cambridge on Thursday night.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green, feeling a little better after being discharged from hospital last Friday, albeit still a bit weak, says both horses have solid claims in the sixth race.
“I think Riverman Sam is the best horse in the race. He’s a really nice horse and people sell him a bit cheaply.
“He’d be good enough to go in the race against Copy That at Auckland on Friday but he’s probably not on top of his game yet, he might need another run.”
Riverman Sam resumed from a break of nearly two months at Auckland 11 days ago and, badly in need of the hit-out, beat only one home.
He was scratched from his assignment last week when he came down with a bit of a temperature and had mucous coming out his nose.
“If we’d raced him he would have got worse. But Andrew (stable foreman Andrew Drake) thinks he’s over it now.
“He gets round the corners better the Cambridge way and, even from a wide draw, I could see him getting some of it.”
Four of Riverman Sam’s six wins have been at Cambridge, the most recent in June when he beat a stronger field than he meets on Thursday.
“My Copy is another who’s better the left-handed way round,” says Green. “The way he trialled the other day, he should go well.”
Against five rivals over 2050 metres at Pukekohe last Saturday, My Copy went back early but driver Andre Poutama looped the field quickly 1200 metres out to lead and, despite being hotly challenged late, held on by a nose over stablemate Neptune, with another nose to the fast-finishing Blameitonthenight.
Green says not to take any notice of My Copy’s lacklustre seventh at Auckland last week, which blotted a first-class form line.
“He locked on the pole and couldn’t get round the corners. He’s still a green sort of a horse but he does things better the Cambridge way and should go a good race.
“He’s not a bad horse, no champion, but a tidy horse. With a good trip I can’t see why he can’t get some of it.”
My Copy has had two starts at Cambridge for a win and a nose second to the smart Dontstopmenow, who franked the form winning again at his next start at Auckland.
More news in Harness
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
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.”
