It took American Dealer a few days to settle in at West Melton but he’s picked up well now. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray expecting Lincoln Farms pair to go well - but Ashburton isn’t Grand Final day
By Barry Lichter • 25 October 2020
Copy That and American Dealer have settled in well to their new surroundings in Christchurch but trainer Ray Green isn’t setting the bar too high for their assignments at Ashburton on Monday.
Green says he’ll be happy just to see the pair go well in their final prep races for the $540,000 New Zealand Cup and $150,000 Sires’ Stakes Final.
But with cup favourites Self Assured and Spankem in the Flying Stakes and hot favourite Krug in the final Sires’ Stakes heat, Green says he will get a good guide as to where his charges sit in the pecking order.
Green reports American Dealer was a bit unsettled when he first arrived at Ken Barron’s Toliman Lodge in West Melton last Thursday.
“We had no dramas on the flight. The little fella was a bit stressed out for the first couple of days, excited and worried - but it’s his first time away from home.
“And they’re both good now, eating and drinking well.”
Green gave the pair quiet runs yesterday, American Dealer bowling around behind a couple of Barron’s horses, but not asked for anything serious.
“They should be as sharp as last time they raced which was only a couple of weeks ago.”
From the pole, Green expects American Dealer to secure a perfect trip.
“It’s hard to know what the others will do but we get out well enough to be handy. In these small fields they often walk and sprint home.
“He’s already qualified for the final so there’s no urgency - we don’t have to win it.”
On form, if American Dealer doesn’t lead for David Butcher he’ll trail It’s All About Faith, drawn alongside him in two.
Just when Krug, drawn the outside of the gate, makes his move is impossible to predict, driver Blair Orange sure to have options with only a small field to get round.
Copy That takes on the All Stars’ heavy guns for the first time at Ashburton on Monday.Green expects Orange to settle midfield when he reunites with Copy That in the Flying Stakes.
“There are a few against Copy That who are more experienced from a stand. He steps better than some and not as well as others, so I see him midfield.
“He’s never gone away badly from a stand - he’s always reasonable and safe - so he shouldn’t be far off them when they settle.
“But it’s a small field so even if he’s last in the running he won’t be far away.”
Green isn’t fazed by the fact Copy That meets the might of the All Stars, whose arsenal of Self Assured and Spankem has been strengthened with the arrival of Ashley Locaz, back from a Brisbane campaign.
“I saw Ashley Locaz at Pukekohe before I came down and he looks excellent.
“Copy That took care of them comfortably in Auckland - he’s clearly better than the ones up north - but it’s a different ball game down here.
“I’m not expecting too much from him on Monday. It would be nice to win it but it won’t be a disaster if he doesn’t. So long as he goes well, I’ll be happy.”
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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.”
