Copy That … ready to resume at Auckland on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray’s big reveal after Cambridge workout win: On ability Copy That and Line Up are on a par
By Barry Lichter • 15 September 2019
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.
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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.”
