Ray: Copy Ten Four will go better left-handed at Cambridge on Thursday night. Roger that.

Copy Ten Four paced so roughly last start, punters could be excused for being wary of his opening $2.60 odds at Cambridge on Thursday night.

The green three-year-old mixed his gait at Auckland so much, getting on a knee especially on the bends, that he eventually couldn’t hold it together and galloped 200 metres from home.

But Lincoln Farms’ senior trainer Ray Green is expecting a much better performance this time because he’ll be racing in the opposite direction.

“He’s better going left-handed and he only has to get round safely to be right in the fray. He’s no champion but he’s not a bad horse.”

Green opted to trial the son of Fear The Dragon at Pukekohe 10 days ago and the colt did everything right, leading his three rivals, until approaching the final bend when he broke.

But that workout was also right-handed and he managed to gather himself quickly and finish powerfully to still take the heat by half a length with closing sectionals of 58.2 and 28.9.

Green describes Copy Ten Four as a beautiful big horse who is making good progress and he is expecting a bold showing in the opening race, where he has only seven out-of-form rivals.

Rivergirl Bella paced 2:41.4 in her sole win at Cambridge in May. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Rivergirl Bella is at similarly short odds of $2.80 in the third race, reflecting just how unlucky she was last time on the course last Thursday.

The filly was heavily supported but was never out of trouble, first copping a check 1700 metres out when a rival broke, then becoming snookered on the fence where she started over-racing.

Blocked for a run in the home straight she ended up hitting several pylons then locking wheels 100 metres out.

Stewards quizzed driver Andre Poutama why he had chosen to take the filly down to the markers 1100 metres from home, and heard how it had been decided to drive her with cover, given the longer trip of 2700 metres and that her form was only moderate.

Green says that from the improved draw of two this time, over a more suitable 2200 metres, punters can expect different tactics.

“She should lead easily and be the one to beat. She was desperately unlucky last time and she’s in good shape.”

Maurice McKendry takes the drive this time and will be out to improve her thin record of one win and five placings from 23 starts, her sole success in May on the course when she paced a respectable 2:41.4.

Green says Leo Lincoln ($6, $2.20) is racing well but will need luck in the fifth race from the inside of the second row.

The horse appeciated the drop in grade last week when finishing a good third, stepping fast from the stand and leading until the last 75 metres.

But in finishing third, just 1.3 lengths behind The Surfer, Leo Lincoln showed he was on the verge of better form.

“He goes much better that way round and while he’s at the mercy of what they do in front of him, he just needs to see a bit of daylight to be right in it.”