Copy That v King Of Swing a mouth-watering clash in Saturday night’s Sunshine Sprint
By Barry Lichter • 15 July 2021
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is in a unique position of being able to compare the merits of Copy That and King Of Swing, who are expected to fight out the finish of Saturday night’s A$100,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park in Brisbane.
Green not only trains Copy That but developed and trained King Of Swing at Lincoln Farms until his sale for big money to Perth at the end of 2017.
So when he says he believes Copy That has a little more sharp speed than the now Aussie champion, and that he’ll be using his barrier advantage at the start of the big sprint, it only underscores why bookies have the Kiwi a $2.10 favourite to beat King Of Swing ($2.30).
“Anthony (Butt) does his own form, and he’ll make the call, but he won’t be going back,” says Green of the likely tactics for the winter carnival speed highlight.
“It’s the first time he’s seen the gate for three starts and he’s pretty quick out. I’m picking he’ll definitely be having a dab at the front and from there he’ll be hard to beat.
“It’s difficult to predict what other people will do out there but hopefully one of those on the inside doesn’t try to hold him out.”
Queensland experts are saying, however, they’ve seldom seen such a fast front row with the three inside horses, Bright Energy, Crunch Time and Alta Orlando all rockets, and former Kiwi Turn It Up a jet from the outside.
While King Of Swing is handicapped by being wide on the second row, his racing pattern is also to go forward and apply the pressure, raising the distinct possibility that the Albion Park track record of 1:50.4 could be under threat.
The mark is shared by two horses, who both set it at the Brisbane July winter carnival, Cruz leading all the way last year in the Sunshine Sprint and champion I’m Themightyquinn coming from the one-one at the bell to win the Wondai’s Mate in 2014.
Being on the speed at Albion Park is a huge advantage in mile racing and that’s why Green believes Copy That will have an edge on King Of Swing.
The only time King Of Swing has been beaten in his last 11 starts was when he started from the second row and didn’t lead. In his 21 starts since joining the McCarthy stable he has led in 18 of his 21 starts.
King Of Swing is a class act, says former trainer Ray Green.His record from his Sydney base is a remarkable 17 wins, three seconds and a third, his fastest mile time when winning the March, 2020 Miracle Mile in 1:48.
“I have huge respect for him, he’s a beautiful horse, a real class act and he’s won $2.3 million,” says Green.
“He’s so powerful and is at the top of his game so he won’t be a pushover but I think our fella has a bit more sharp speed.”
King Of Swing finished out of the top three only twice in the time Green trained the youngster - in his last two starts for Lincoln Farms - when he racked up seven wins and four seconds from 13 starts, bankrolling $236,244 for John and Lynne Street, Neville McAlister and Rod and Sue Fleming, mostly through winning the Breeders Crown as a two-year-old.
His bankroll has now topped $2.3 million, his career record 36 wins and 15 placings from 70 starts.
Green says Copy That has coped well with his two races since arriving in Brisbane and is actually on the improve, his narrow defeat in last week’s Rising Sun only serving to further tighten him.
“I can’t fault him. I haven’t tested him this week done, he’s just done a bit of pacework, but both he and American Dealer sprinted up well today.”
Copy That, widest, is just nabbed by Amazing Dream up the marker pegs in last week’s Rising Sun. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
$5.50 for American Dealer
Green believes American Dealer is a definite winning chance in the A$30,000 South East Derby on Saturday night and is surprised he’s only the $5.50 early third favourite.
“The bookies never make him favourite, no matter what he does, but that could be to their peril.
American Dealer, outer, scores a brave win in the Rising Sun Consolation. PHOTO: Dan Costello.“I know he’s drawn six, and there’s a bit of speed inside him, but I think they’ll string out pretty quickly.
“You certainly wouldn’t leave him out of your permutations. He’s tough and is definitely on the improve.”
America Dealer was superb last Saturday night, winning the Rising Sun Consolation, shuffled back after doing work early then coming with a fast and sustained sprint from four back on the outer.
Green has scratched Tommy Lincoln from Saturday night after an abscess in his foot flared up again.
“We had trouble with it last week but hopefully it won’t be one of those that lingers. We’ll have to get it out before we race him again, hopefully next week.”
American Dealer races at 7.44pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Copy That races at 10.15pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Dave Phillips back in the winner’s circle with Spiritual Bliss, lauding Lincoln Farms
Everything goes to script for new Gold Card member David Turner as Lincoln Wave swells
Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too
Canny Fergie drive gets Lincoln Lover home at Taupo - and it won’t be his last win
Our runners this week
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Lincoln Maree, The Night Fox, Lincoln Lover.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
