Ants: Copy That has class written all over him - they’ll know he’s there next week
Ace driver Anthony Butt was particularly pleased with Copy That’s manners when he cruised round Albion Park last night to win his trial as he liked.
Lincoln Farms’ Brisbane carnival flag bearer was never troubled to win the 1660 metre heat by two metres in a mile rate of 1:53.2, albeit pitted against inferior opposition.
“It was a nice run for him and he rolled home a good half,” said Butt who travelled from Victoria for the test drive and to handle Krug at Redcliffe tonight.
After starting solo on the second line, Butt didn’t move from the rear until 800 metres out, cruising round his rivals to be third down the back straight, and powering home to record sectionals of 55.7 and 27.8.
“I was pleased with his manners, he was nice and relaxed and casual and went about it like he’d been there all his life.
“When I asked him to go he put them away in a couple of strides. He’s got class written all over him.
“It won’t be easy against all the big boys next week but they’ll know he’s there.”
Trainer Ray Green has earmarked next Saturday’s A$25,660 Wondai’s Mate (1660m) as Copy That’s pipe opener for the carnival when he will meet local big guns Colt Thirty One, Spankem and Turn It Up.
“Everything’s going to plan,” said Green. “It’s good that Anthony got to have a drive on him and he did it well and pulled up well.
“He’s been training well since he got here. You’re limited to how fast you can go on this track but he doesn’t need much anyway.”
Copy That recorded sectionals of 28.2, 29.3, 27.9 and 27.8 in his trial, downing Chantal Turpin’s 12-race winner Will The Wizard and tiring leader First String, an 11-race winner with Belinda McCarthy.
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Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Frisco Bay, Lincoln Cove, Obadiah Dragon, Leo Lincoln, My Copy.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Racer 7: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.51pm NZ time
The horse has improved with his latest run (for second) and the field looks a little weaker this time. Ammicchi and Whata Optimist can fly the gate, so the lead might not be there, but with any sort of trip he should be very competitive again.