Copy That relaxing in his paddock at Lincoln Farms. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray: Aussie will have to wait - Copy That to spell then target the two derbies at home
By Barry Lichter • 17 December 2019
Alabar Classic winner Copy That won’t be travelling to Australia this summer, trainer Ray Green revealing today he will concentrate on the two derbies in New Zealand.
A smorgasbord of options opened up for Lincoln Farms’ star pacer after he downed New Zealand’s best three-year-olds for the second week on end at Alexandra Park last Saturday night.
But while Green and Australian owners Merv and Meg Butterworth would like to have tested their colt against the best across the Tasman, Green says the timing is against them.
“The horse has lightened up a bit and needs a break so we’ll be giving him two to three weeks in the paddock now.
“If we were to go for the Victoria Derby he’d need to be over there three weeks beforehand and it simply comes too soon.”
The A$200,000 Victoria Derby Final is run at Melton on January 25 but Copy That would also have to contest a derby heat at Ballarat a week earlier.
Copy That will instead be aimed at the $250,000 Northern Derby at Auckland on March 6, which means he cannot also contest the A$200,000 New South Wales Derby which is run a night later at Menangle.
He will then head south for the $200,000 New Zealand Derby at Addington on April 13.
Alabar Stud general manager Graeme Henley presents the Alabar Classic trophy to Copy That’s trainer Ray Green.Copy That not only stamped himself as the country’s leading three-year-old during the Interdominion carnival but he showed a rare brand of speed that few of his peers have matched in recent years when clocking 2:37.3 on Saturday night.
Without doubt Alexandra Park’s racing surface is far more conducive to fast times now but only Chase Auckland - who clocked 2:36.4 in winning the Alabar (former Elsu Classic) in 2017 - has run faster over the mobile 2200 metres in the race’s 15-year history.
Saturday night’s Interdominion winner Ultimate Sniper paced 2:40.8 in 2018, Ultimate Machete scored in 2:42 in 2016 and superstar Lazarus went 2:41.3 in 2015, underlining the statement by Alabar Stud’s Graeme Henley that the Classic was a launching pad for “great horses.”
The New Zealand three-year-old record is held by Ultimate Machete at 2:36.1.
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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.”
