Revitalise strongly supported tonight to get pre cup win for Copy That’s owners
By Barry Lichter • 6 November 2020
The money is coming for Lincoln Farms’ Revitalise who looks a strong winning chance when he drops in grade at Cambridge tonight.
The horses Revitalise will meet in the third race are well down in quality on those he faced at Auckland last time, hence his odds shrinking from $4 to $3.40.
Revitalise, who is raced by Copy That’s Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth, ran only ninth in Taipo’s impressive 1:53.7 mile at Alexandra Park last week.
But he had no chance after driver Maurice McKendry found himself four wide round the first turn and was forced to ease back to the rear.
Last at the bell, Revitalise had no chance on the clock to catch the leaders but still ran home as well as anything, clocking 1:55.2, with a closing half of 55.5.
“It wasn’t a bad run but the race just wasn’t run to suit him,” says trainer Ray Green. “He’s not quick out of the gate and takes a little while to find his feet.
“But he looks a serious winning chance tonight. The five draw doesn’t matter as he’ll just trundle out.
“Hopefully he won’t be parked but, even if he is, he’ll still run on.”
In his previous start at Cambridge, Revitalise was three wide before making the death at the 900m and was still beaten only by the exciting Alterior Motif, closing gamely to go under by only a neck.
Revitalise suffered a foot abscess soon after that run and missed five days work before his Auckland assignment so he can be expected to be much fitter tonight.
Three starts back he was best of Mr Fantastic’s rivals, the promising three-year-old also going on to win his next start, prompting his owners to refuse a big offer.
Revitalise will again be driven by Maurice McKendry.
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Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
