Copy That mauled in front but goes down fighting like a (Nicholas) caged lion

Copy That might not have won tonight’s Taylor Mile but trainer Ray Green was still proud of the way the horse fought on bravely after an early mauling.

In a grandstand finish, where only a nose and two half necks separated the first four home, Akuta got the nod over Self Assured, with the Australian Better Eclipse third and Copy That fourth.

But while Green admitted he was hoping to see Copy That break through the $2 million stakes barrier tonight, he said he was far from disappointed.

“It’s hard for any horse to come out in 26 and come home in 26 but he still dug in hard in the straight.”

Any thoughts that Copy That would be gifted the front like the previous week when he led all the way in the $1 million The Race By Grins at Cambridge evaporated as the gate left and Nicholas Cage raced him to the first bend.

And the war continued right round the corner, Nicholas Cage’s driver Todd Mitchell pouring on the pace in an opening quarter of 26.7.

Copy That (Blair Orange) retakes the lead from Nicholas Cage with a lap to run.Copy That’s driver Blair Orange eventually relented as they turned into the home straight, letting Nicholas Cage cross before retaking the lead about 100 metres later.

Orange reported Copy That came back to him straight away, allowing him to dawdle through the next two quarters in 31.1 and 29.6, but the damage had been done and the closing 400 in 26.4 was a bridge too far.

While Copy That turned for home with a length advantage, when Self Assured ranged alongside him 100 metres out it was soon clear the little champ was out of gas.

And in the closing few metres he was also gobbled up by Better Eclipse and the late-closing Akuta who enjoyed a sweet ride home on the back of the Australian.

Orange confirmed it was the early burn that undid Copy That.

“But he only got beaten a little bit so I won’t be losing any sleep over it.”

Orange said in deciding when to relent he waited until he was sure the field had been broken up enough to ensure he could complete the retaking manoeuvre.

Copy That is fighting hard but Self Assured, outer, is about to edge ahead.Green said it could be debated that Orange should have let Nicholas Cage go sooner but he was not about to question the drive.

“We pay Blair to make those decisions and you can’t win them all. When you’re racing horses of this calibre you have to get the right run and we didn’t tonight.

“But I’m not disappointed at all. How could we be? He’s won us nearly $2 million.”

Copy That’s heart rate quickly dropped from 95 to 86 to 79 after the race, an indication of his terrific motor.

“Some horses have elevated heart rates for half an hour after they race.”

Green said he was looking forward to next week’s Messenger over the longer 2700 metres and he was sure Copy That would be hard to beat again.

The return to form of Akuta, after four starts out of the winner’s circle, was a highlight of the race. His closing 800 metres, coming three wide from the tailend, would have broken the clock considering the sectional off the front was recorded in 56 flat. His overall time was 1:53.8 in less than ideal conditions.

It rounded out a perfect night for Christchurch owner Ian Dobson after Muscle Mountain’s hollow win in the Group II Lyell Creek Stakes one race earlier.

Purdon suspended

But in an unfortunate sequel, Akuta’s driver Mark Purdon was found to have used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home of the Taylor Mile and was fined $300 and suspended for seven driving days up to and including May 14.

That means he will not be able to drive Akuta in next week’s Messenger and will also miss out on the next Sires’ Stakes heat on May 4 at Auckland behind unbeaten filly Millwood Nike who was untroubled to win her two-horse non-tote heat tonight.