Lincoln Farms welcomes back Copy That and latest reports positive about The Big Lebowski
By Barry Lichter • 23 August 2024
Champion pacer Copy That will rejoin trainer Ray Green at Lincoln Farms on Saturday, with no plans to tilt at a third New Zealand Trotting Cup win in November.
But all going well, Green says the seven-year-old could be set for the Auckland Cup, newly repositioned to New Years Eve at Alexandra Park.
It’s 11 months since Copy That last raced when wear and tear was detected in his knee.
Sparing no expense, owner Merv Butterworth flew the horse to Victoria for an MRI scan at the Ballarat Veterinary Clinic where bone and cartilage fragments were removed.
The horse returned to New Zealand in May and since then has been doing rehab on a water treadmill at Margaret Park in Matangi.
Green says Copy That will be taken along quietly and have regular vet monitoring but he is hopeful the $2 million winner will make a return to the track late in the year for Merv and Meg Butterworth.
Green’s report on the progress of his other sidelined big gun, The Big Lebowski, is also very positive after a long stint on the water treadmill.
“He came back in good shape and has been in work for two months. He’s training down really well and is only a week or two off trialling.
“He’s nominated for the New Zealand Cup and I’m hopeful he’ll make it. He’s on the right track but who knows how far he’ll take us?”
Green said the giant seven-year-old was holding up really well with no sign of the tendon injury which stopped him 14 months ago.
“He had a hind tendon bow, which is very rare, so the thought is it was a traumatic injury - he must have kicked out at something.”
The Big Lebowski announced himself on the northern stage with this 11-length annihilation at the Park.The Big Lebowski, brought north from Southland in May, 2023, demolished his rivals by 11 lengths in his Auckland debut, clocking 2:38.4 for the 2200 metres, in one of the most spectacular wins seen on the course in years.
The performance earned him a tilt at the Auckland Cup a week later when, last turning for home, he powered home to finish only 3.5 lengths from winner Akuta, full of running and hard held behind a wall of horses.
His injury wrecked Green’s plans to target the New Zealand Cup but, a year later, he’s on the same path.
Two races are carded at Alexandra Park for northern cup aspirants - the $40,000 Spring Cup (2200m) on September 20 and the $40,000 Holmes DG (2700m) on October 4, both races for 65 and faster rated pacers with a maximum back mark of 20 metres.
As the winner of only six races and rated 71 he will enjoy a start on his cup rivals.
More news in Harness
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
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
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.”
