Copy That has won four Group I races.
Ray: Our driver will be calling all the shots on Copy That but Classic only like a glorified trial
By Barry Lichter • 9 September 2022
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green will be leaving it up to driver Nathan Jack to make the call on whether to push the button on Copy That out of the gate in Saturday night’s Caduceus Classic at Melton.
The New Zealand Cup champion leaves from four on a speedy front line in the 1720 metre sprint with the connections of pole runner Tango Tara already declaring their intentions to try to hold the front.
But Green says he has no pre-set plan given how hard it is to predict how races will be run.
“The worst thing is to have a plan because as soon as you do that, you’re in trouble.
“That’s why you need good drivers. The driver can assess the situation before he goes 50 metres and act accordingly. Whether he goes to the front or trails or sits parked you can’t predict.
“We can’t be worried about it if someone is going to go silly.
Ray Green … “the worst thing is to have a plan.”“My driver is very good, he has plenty of respect out there and he knows the other drivers and the horses, which I don’t. I”ll just tell him about my horse, and his little quirks, and leave the rest to him.”
Green says he can’t fault Copy That’s condition going into Saturday night’s race.
The horse performed well in his final fast work this week, pacing his usual mile in a relaxed 2:05.
“It’s only his second start in nine months so he won’t be rock hard fit but I can’t see why he won’t go a good race. Class always prevails.
“I’m sure he’ll be competitive but we won’t be slitting our wrists if he doesn’t win. This race is purely a lead-up to the Victoria Cup (October 8). It might be a $100,000 Group I race but it’s more a glorified trial for us.
“Of course we want to win it but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t. It’s just a training run really.”
Green, however, believes Copy That’s opposition isn’t as strong as it could have been.
Only Honolua Bay (Vicbred 4yo Final) and Max Delight (2021 Victoria Cup, NSW Derby and 2019 3yo Breeders Crown) have won Group I races, whereas Copy That has four under his belt.
“It’s hard to know how good Honolua Bay is, he’s very promising obviously as he’s won his last eight on end. But he’s been beating second-raters, he hasn’t run into class horses yet.”
Max Delight, who beat Triple Eight, King Of Swing and Amazing Dream in last year’s Victoria Cup, was a legitimate contender working his way back into form.
Of the others:
- Tango Tara has a sole Group II win and has scored only one win in his last 14 starts, at Mildura.
- Torrid Saint has never won a Group race and claims only one win in his last 13 starts, clocking 1:51.7 at Melton two starts back
- Supreme Dominator’s best win was the Group II Cranbourne Cup
- Willie Go West claims only a Group II Hobart Cup and Group III Maryborough Cup and
- Rock N Roll Doo has won a Group II, the Paleface Adios at Menangle.
Safely through Saturday night, Green has the A$80,000 Kilmore Cup (2690m) on September 23 planned for Copy That.
“There are two other possible races, one the week before the Victoria Cup (the $50,000 Smoken Up Sprint (1720m) at Melton).”
Copy That races at 11.14pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
