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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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.”
