Pukekohe workout pointers: Lincoln Farms’ team bring their A game - even the bad boy

Some new faces, some late developers and even a recidivist bad boy were all to the fore when Lincoln Farms trialled nine horses at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Two-year-olds Tommy Lincoln, Billy Lincoln and Lindi Lincoln showed up in the early heats and three newcomers owned by Australian Merv Butterworth, Ace Commander, Kiwi Bloke and The Empress all did enough to suggest they’ll be competitive in the north.

But the star of the show, surprisingly, was Copy That who has more than tested the patience of trainer Ray Green in the last few months with his Jekyll and Hyde behaviour.

Copy That, who broke twice in his race at Auckland a week ago, was on his best behaviour on Saturday, leading throughout his 2050 metre heat for Zachary Butcher.

The American Ideal youngster was untroubled to score by three and a half lengths, going away, clocking impressive final sectionals of 57.3 and 26.7.

His overall time of 2:36.4 represented a mile rate of 2:02.8 and was too slick for runner-up Corbaux and third-placegetter Brydon Earl.

“He’s certainly got the raw ability,’’ says Green and Zac reckons he’s ready to race again this week.’’

Green says the colt’s improved performance could be down to a few minor changes made by his wife Debbie, who owns the colt.

“She wrapped his hind legs and if he’d been touching a bit back there that could have helped him.

“Here’s hoping he gets round safely on Friday.’’

Stablemates Man Of Action, fourth, and Perfect Stride, sixth, were just there on Saturday for a quiet outing, says Green.

It was the first speed test this prep for both horses, Perfect Stride rested after taking a long time to shake a virus.

Green was pleased with the efforts of Tommy Lincoln and Billy Lincoln who had only a half-head between them in the opening five-horse heat and says they’re both ready to hit the racetrack.

Tommy Lincoln was very green when he debuted in January.Tommy Lincoln hung on after leading and Billy was good in second after trailing and they covered the 2050 metres in a mile rate of 2:03.6, home in 60.1 and 28.1.

“Tommy’s a much stronger individual this time in. He was a big, gangly, weak thing but he’s really filled out.

“We gelded him too and he seems to have put all the weight back on that he lost.’’

Green gave Tommy Lincoln one start last preparation, in January, when he galloped at Auckland through greenness.

“But we really only put him in to make up the numbers.’’

Until six weeks ago, Green says Billy Lincoln was “extremely average.’’

“He’s always been a big, lazy horse but he’s progressively got better and better, improving with every run.

“He’s quite a nice horse and being by Bettor’s Delight he could morph into something useful. It’s hard to say how far he’ll take us but we’ll find out in the next couple of months.’’

Lindi Lincoln improved on her narrow head defeat last week to win the learners’ heat by three-quarters of a length.

“It was only her second time behind the gate so we’ll just trundle on with her.

“She’s a sister to Rupert Of Lincoln and has started off in a similar vein. Rupert was ordinary and unspectacular but kept finding.

“She’s a good, clean gaited filly and hopefully she’ll continue to improve.’’

Lindi Lincoln led on Saturday but ran no time, clocking a 2:11.6 mile rate, closing in 61.9 and 29.6.

Ace Commander, with Dexter Dunn in the sulky, after winning last year.Green will give Ace Commander another trial before lining him up, despite the Monarchy five-year-old winning the 2500 metre heat for up to rating 75s.

Driver David Butcher stood Ace Commander widest on the four-horse front line and soon after the start he whooshed to the lead, holding on to beat The Peaky Blinder a neck, with another neck to Wait For Success.

Ace Commander, easily the highest rated as a five-win horse, clocked 3:24.2, a mile rate of 2:11.4. He came home from the 800 in 62.1 and 400 in 29.5.

“That’s the fastest he’s run for us and David said he went OK, but he blew quite hard afterwards.’’

Green says fellow trainer Robert Dunn gave him a good rap on Ace Commander.

“Dexter (Dunn) drove the horse a few times last year, liked him, and was encouraging Robert to buy him.’’

Both of Butterworth’s two runners in the fourth heat, for up to rating 60 horses, Kiwi Bloke and The Empress, shaped up well.

Kiwi Bloke trailed and stuck for second, only half a length behind heavily punted debut winner Anam Nunu, while The Empress held her place in the running to finish third, one and a half lengths further back.

The right-handed 2050 metre heat was quite competitive, the winner clocking 2:35.1, a mile rate of 2:01.7. The closing sectionals were slick too, 56.9 and 27.1.

“That was Kiwi Bloke’s first manoeuvre for us and he hasn’t done enough to warrant racing yet,’’ says Green.

A five-year-old by Courage Under Fire, Kiwi Bloke had been winless in 18 starts until his last two races at Forbury Park in April, which he won.

The Empress, an Art Major filly, has been at Lincoln Farms for only the last two weeks but already Green can see she is very fast.

“She’s a lovely big filly but is a little bit green and it might take a start or two to school her up.’’

The Empress won the first of her six starts at Winton last September, running a 1:58.9 mile on an easy track.

She finished eighth in the Southland Oaks at her last start in April.