Copy That sails past Mighty Looee and The Empress to score at Pukekohe today.
Slick workout win shows speedy Copy That beautifully primed for Sires’ Stakes heat
By Barry Lichter • 28 September 2019
Copy That served notice that he’s the one to beat in Thursday’s first Sires’ Stakes heat at Cambridge when he unleashed a powerful sprint to win his workout at Pukekohe today.
Driver Zachary Butcher gave the impressive last-start winner a perfect trip in the one-one and when he pulled out in the run home, there was never any doubt over the result.
The effort further underlined trainer Ray Green’s belief that Copy That will be even more potent racing left-handed as the colt paced beautifully in that direction today.
There was no sign of the little breaks which punctuated Copy That’s brilliant fresh-up win at Auckland, Butcher reporting only that he went to duck out on the last bend and put in one rough stride.
“But we’ve got that sorted now with the pole to keep him straight
“We’re laughing Ray,” Butcher told Green on returning, after Copy That found a 57.6 last half and 28.2 quarter to beat Mighty Looee, going away, by a head.
His overall time for the 2050 metres was 2:35.4, a slick mile rate of 2:02.
Pacemaker The Empress battled away strongly for third, three-quarters of a length away, running out a little in the straight but also earning her place on the float to Cambridge on Thursday.
Lindi Lincoln (Zachary Butcher) goes from wire to wire.The third Lincoln Farms traveller next week Lindi Lincoln showed continued improvement to lead all the way in the non-winners’ heat.
Butcher took the Sir Lincoln filly straight to the front and after setting a steady tempo she rallied well to stave off Yankee Dancer to win by a neck in 2:40, a mile rate of 2:05.6 with closing sectionals of 58.1 and 28.4.
Green is pleased with how the filly has gone ahead since her solid first-up third at Auckland eight days ago and Butcher believes the sister to Rupert Of Lincoln is in the right order to win.
“She reminds me a bit of Rupert,” said Butcher. “She lacks a bit of quick speed but she’s honest and tries hard.
“She left the gate today like she was tied to it and, if she draws well on Thursday, she’ll be right there.”
Stablemate Hampton Banner closed strongly for sixth in the same heat, improving from three back on the outer for driver Craig Sharpe, but forced four wide rounding the home turn.
Larry Lincoln after qualifying in good time today.Larry Lincoln qualified 5.3 seconds under time when he led a three-horse heat throughout.
Driver Andre Poutama had the Sweet Lou colt humming from the start and his winning time of 2:36.9 represented a good mile rate of 2:03.2.
Larry Lincoln closed in 58.5 and 29 to beat Marathon Man by four lengths with half a length to Greenback Boogie.
“He’s a neat little horse,” Green said. “He’ll trial next week then race at Cambridge.
“He’s no star but he’ll win a race or two.”
Joey Lincoln will be looking for a new job soon after breaking for no reason when leading the unqualified heat.
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On paper, Akuta looks home but Kevin Kline’s such a warrior he could get some of it
Improving Johnny Lincoln prevails in thrilling finish and takes aim at Sires’ Stakes
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
