Line Up and Copy That hard held in Addington trial leaving Green excited about Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 6 November 2019
Trainer Ray Green was thrilled with the way Line Up and Copy That trialled at Addington today and says they need only a little luck to feature in Tuesday’s $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final.
The two Lincoln Farms’ colts were only out for a look round Addington today and were drawn against a powerful field of rating 70 and faster horses, but both powered home strongly to finish right in behind the placegetters.
In what turned out to be only a walk and sprint home over the mobile 1980 metres, the likely Sires’ Stakes favourite One Change prevailed in a blanket finish. Only heads separated the first four home with runner-up Wainui Creek, Bettor’s Heart and Amazing Dream all close up.
The overall time was 2:28.9, with the closing 800 metres in 57.8 and 400 in 27.3.
Green says both Copy That, sixth, and Line Up, seventh, came with strong finishes, especially Copy That who went to the line under a big hold.
Line Up has drawn handy in five for the Sires’ Stakes Final on Tuesday.Top Sydney-based horseman Anthony Butt went to an early lead on Line Up but took hold when he put in a couple of funny little steps, settling three deep on the markers.
“Ants said he was just jogging at the line and he was very pleased with the run.
“Blair (Orange) went back on Copy That and stayed down on the inside. He smoked up in behind them at the finish.”
Zachary Butcher, driving Wainui Creek, told Green afterwards that he ran home in 26.5 on his mare and he could see Copy That being absolutely choked alongside him.
“Both of ours looked like they were travelling as good as anything else and I reckon Copy That could nearly have won if he’d been in the open.
“But they were only there for a look round the track, that’s all, and they pulled up really well.
“They’ve both travelled well and are thriving down here, they’re really in the zone.”
Lincoln Farms had a mixed result with the barrier draws for Tuesday’s big finale - Line Up handy in five but Copy That wide on the second row in 14.
Copy That has the speed to overcome his second row draw on Tuesday.But Green says the draw doesn’t take Copy That out of play.
“You never know what will happen of course but it looks like Line Up will get a handier trip. Copy That, however, is capable of coming from way off the pace because he’s got big speed. If they go hard he could run right into it.
“We just need a bit of luck and I think we’ll get some of it. Our two look as capable as any and I’m looking forward to the race.”
The All Stars’ juggernaut looks to have a vice like grip on the New Zealand Cup after Spankem beat Thefixer a head in the cup trial, powering home wide out from the tail end near the home turn.
The pair clocked 3:16 for the 2600 metre stand, and closed in 56.1 and 26.9.
A G’s White Socks got closest for Ricky May, one and a half lengths away after galloping at the start and making a big run to lead 1000 metres from home. Mach Shard and Zachary Butcher were next home, half a length away, finishing on strongly from last on the turn.
The Purdon/Rasmussen pair have drawn next to each other in the $750,000 Cup on Tuesday, with Spankem in six and Thefixer in seven.
Victorian visitor San Carlo landed the pole.
Oscar Bonavena huge
In other trials today:
* Oscar Bonavena was brilliant in beating stablemate Winterfell in the rating 72 and faster 2600 metre trot, screaming to the lead 700 metres from home and clearing out in the run home to win by three lengths, closing in 56.5 and 27.9.
* Australian trotter Tough Monarch led all the way in the rating 69 and faster mobile 1980 metre heat for raceday driver Anthony Butt, beating Splash Cola by two lengths, with closing sectionals of 59.7 and 28.8. Sundees Son was third in a gap of nine lengths after galloping 1000 metres from home and again across the finish line.
* Two other All Stars’ Sires Stakes contenders won their heats, Aqua Sancta coming out of the trail to easily run down Franco Texas by three-quarters of a length in 2:30.8 for 1980 metres and Dina Bolt too strong for Sugar Loaf in 2:32.3.
More news in Harness
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No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
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.”
