Ray and his charges chilled for Addington pipe-openers on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2020
Trainer Ray Green might have had to chip the ice off his car windscreen this morning but the cold snap in Christchurch isn’t bothering his two charges Copy That and Platinum Stride.
In Canterbury primarily for the $200,000 New Zealand Derby on April 3, Green reports both horses have been eating and drinking well since their arrival last Sunday.
“Platinum Stride was a little insecure to start with - it was his first plane ride and he’s in a strange place, but after being a little stressed out he’s handling it well now.
“And Copy That is in really good nick. He handled his trip down for the Sires’ Stakes last November like an old hand and he’s just as chilled this time.
“I trained him a bit yesterday, nothing serious, but he felt pretty sharp and he looks nice and healthy.”
Ray Green … “these races aren’t their main missions.”Green isn’t too worried about how the pair will go on Friday night at Addington where they’ve both drawn badly in what amounts only to pipe-openers.
Copy That drew eight on the front line in the Vero Flying Stakes, with his arch rival One Change uncannily spotted again in pole position. And Platinum Stride is just as badly off in seven, two from the outside, in the Sires’ Stakes heat with All Stars’ runners in one, two and three, and favourite Krug drawn to get a sweet trip from one on the second row.
“They’ve got bad draws but these aren’t their main missions,” said Green who is aiming at the derby with Copy That and $50,000 Welcome Stakes with Platinum Stride.
“I anticipate Copy That will go a solid race, as he usually does.”
Green says new driver Blair Orange is already familiar with Copy That having driven him to an unlucky sixth in the cup day trial last November.
Orange would discover a much more professional pacer now, one who has not been out of the money in his last 12 starts.
Copy That is coming off the back of his unlucky run for second in the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park when he was the victim of a Natalie Rasmussen pushout then got held up behind tiring pacemaker Tommy Lincoln turning for home.
Platinum Stride’s last run was his best, when he was snookered four back on the pegs in the Young Guns Final but whistled up the passing lane late for third to favourites Krug and It’s All About Faith.
Platinum Stride (Maurice McKendry) roars home late for third in the Young Guns Final after being trapped on the markers.
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
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
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.”
