Ray’s big reveal after Cambridge workout win: On ability Copy That and Line Up are on a par

Copy That signalled he is in the right frame of mind to test his speedy stablemate Line Up when he blazed to an impressive workout win at Cambridge on Saturday.

With no workouts at Pukekohe because of motor racing across the road, trainer Ray Green floated Copy That to Cambridge, where he is due to contest the first heat of Sires’ Stakes series on October 3.

“I thought we needed to have a look at the track to make sure we don’t get any nasty surprises on race night,” said Green of the unpredictable colt.

“And he went super. David (Butcher) never pulled the plugs and and he still posted some nice sectionals.”

Untested to win by one and a half lengths, Copy That clocked 2:45.4 for the mobile 2200 metres, time seldom bettered at the Cambridge workouts. He closed in 57 and 27.6 to register a mile rate of 2:00.9.

Butcher allowed Copy That to nestle into the early trail behind Bettor Sensation in the four-horse heat but popped out 700 metres from home when the leader started to labour.

“David just sat on him up the straight and he did it really well. He didn’t do anything wrong left-handed, which was great, and was beautiful and straight.”

Green says he expects Copy That to continue to improve this season.

“Mentally he hasn’t had his head around it, and he still hasn’t completely arrived yet, but he’s better this time in and will keep getting better and better.

“Ability wise there’s nothing between him and Line Up, although Line Up is more reliable at this stage.

“But I’m happy both colts are right where I want them. Copy That will race on Friday night and I’ll see how Line Up is, and look at the nominations, and he could run again too.”

Under the vagaries of the rating system, despite both horses having won two races, Copy That is a rating 54 horse while Line Up is now 63 after last Friday night’s demolition.

Lindi Lincoln … lazy filly but has plenty of ability.Green was also pleased with the run of Lindi Lincoln on Saturday, when she ran second to Brent Mangos’ Jetson Hunter in a non-winners’ heat.

“She rushed out to lead then took a trail behind Jetson Hunter who was on a mission.

“She’s a lazy filly and David didn’t chase her. She finished three lengths behind the winner but they gapped the rest.”

Jetson Hunter clocked 2:50.5 for the 2200 metres, a mile rate of 2:04.6, with the final 800 metres in 57.2 and 400 in 28.1.

Lindi Lincoln will also resume at Auckland on Friday when Green could have as many as six runners.

To complete the morning, stable junior Andrew Drake produced Bettor Trenz to win the rating 40 to 53 heat.

Leading all the way for Todd Mitchell, the Bettor’s Delight six-year-old clocked 2:47.7, home in 56.7 and 27.3, suggesting it won’t be long before he wins his second race.