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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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
