Copy That is just entering picture shot after starting from 55 metres behind at Auckland.
Copy That out to create modern day history again - this time from 70 metres behind
By Barry Lichter • 25 October 2022
Copy That will attempt on Friday what no other pacer in the last 42 years has achieved - win from a 70 metre back mark over 2700 metres.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green confirmed today he would go ahead with plans to run Copy That at Cambridge in what will be his final lead-up to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
And he is not fazed by the fact the horse will start from such a long handicap in the rating 55 front race.
A rating 120 pacer, he will have to give 20 metres to his biggest rival Hot And Treacherous (R89) and 50 metres to the next highest rated Rough And Ready (R67).
“But he’s effectively gone back only five metres on last week when Bunty Hughes’ horse had a 15 metre start on him.
“Sure, it’s a big handicap but it’s not so terrible. He’s always stepped well, but he’s getting quite slick at it now.”
Copy That had the measure of Hot And Treacherous after only 100 metres at Auckland last week, when he flew the tape and his No. 1 rival galloped away.
His effort to win untested, unleashing a dazzling home stretch sprint from near last, saw him become the only pacer in the last 42 years to win from a 55 metre handicap over the sprint trip of 2200 metres.
Six other pacers have registered wins from 55 metres, but five of those were at 2700 metres - Kate’s First, Agua Caliente, Alta Serena, Sir Lincoln and On The Cards - and one over 3200 metres - Delightful Lady.
No pacers since 1980 have contested 2700 metre races and won from 70 metres. Two have scored from 60 metres - Agua Caliente at Auckland in 2000 and Zenola Seelster at Cambridge in 2012.
“They don’t give you any extra money when you win off these marks do they?” Green joked.
“I’m not worried. It’s hard to know what will happen. You can’t predict anything in a standing start race but he should go well.
“And it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t win a $16k race - we won’t go hungry.
“The object of the exercise is to give him his last hitout before the cup. It’s either go down to Cambridge on Friday or go to the trials where in all likelihood he’d have to run by himself.”
Green says with last week’s winning pilot Blair Orange expected to drive at Methven the same day, it’s likely Zachary Butcher will keep the seat warm behind Copy That on Friday night.
Butcher has driven Copy That four times for four wins.
Meanwhile, Copy That’s owners Merv and Meg Butterworth will be trying to achieve another rare feat with Sacred Mountain and She Reigns earlier in the night.
The pair are co-backmarkers on 55 metres in the fillies’ and mares’ trot, run over 2200 metres.
In the last 42 years only four trotters have scored over the sprint trip from such a long mark.
* Silver Stream won from 55 metres behind at Otaki on January 17, 2016
* Aspiring Lass won from 60 metres behind at Cambridge on May 8, 1993
* The Expatriate won from 70m behind at Invercargill on February 16, 1991 and
* Majestic One won from 80m behind at Otaki on February 3, 2019.
A total of 173 horses have scored from 55 metres behind or further since 1980, 158 of them trotters.
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Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
