Copy That enjoys a lazy afternoon before embarking on his New Zealand Cup campaign. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray’s pair ‘ready to go’ but Ashburton runs are mere belt-tighteners for the main event
By Barry Lichter • 20 October 2020
Copy That and American Dealer are nicely primed for their missions at Ashburton on Monday ahead of their flight south on Thursday.
Copy That starts from the outside of the front row in the standing start Ashburton Flying Stakes (2400m) while American Dealer fared much better drawing the pole for the fifth Sires’ Stakes heat, his main rival Krug widest in the seven-horse field.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green gave the pair strong hitouts at Pukekohe last Wednesday and reported both worked well.
Copy That looked good running 2400 metres in 3:08, sprinting his last 800 in 56.
“He had a big, heavy cart on so it was good work.
“The other fella didn’t go quite that hard but he did what I wanted.”
The pair trained together this morning without being asked for much.
“There’s not much I can do between now and Ashburton - they’re ready to go and I’m happy with where they’re at.
“Copy That’s main mission is the cup, of course, and this Ashburton run is just a lead-up, a glorified training run. But it’s the first time he’s run into the All Stars’ horses and they’re obviously the ones to beat.
“It will give us an idea of how competitive we are.”
The Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen juggernaut lines up New Zealand Cup favourite Self Assured, second favourite Spankem and recent Australian arrival Ashley Locaz.
Waikato horseman David Butcher will continue his association with American Dealer in the Sires’ Stakes heat, drawn to get all favours either in the lead or trail.
The only other serious prospect, the All Stars’ It’s All About Faith, is alongside him in gate two in the mobile mile.
Copy That is the $6 third favourite for the $540,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup on November 10 while American Dealer is the $7.50 third favourite for the $150,000 Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Final the same day.
How they line up in Monday’s features at Ashburton:
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
