Sizzling sectional times tell the real story about Copy That’s Spring Cup performance
By Barry Lichter • 22 September 2023
Copy That might not have won tonight’s Spring Cup but you only have to clock his run to realise he was hardly disappointing.
In finishing third to Fernleigh Cash and Simply Sam, the dual New Zealand Cup winner recorded a sizzling 2:41.2 for the standing 2200 metres, the second fastest time in the race’s 28-year history.
And considering when driver Maurice McKendry turned the horse round just before the starter said go he was more like 30 metres behind the front line, not his carded 20 metre handicap, he probably went even faster than Mach Shard who set the race record of 2:40.8 in 2020.
Copy That’s time was also 3.5 seconds faster than the 2:44.7 he took in winning the Spring Cup in 2021 and half a second quicker than Kango’s winning time last year.
And it was just 1.5 seconds slower than the New Zealand record set by Star Galleria in 2018.
Copy That was privately timed to run his half in 54.5, a terrific effort considering when he got to the 800 metre peg he had just been shunted three wide by David Butcher on Hooray Henry and was being forcibly restrained to the rear.
Andy Sharpe, right, and Ollie Gregory attend to Copy That after his Spring Cup run.And while Fernleigh Cash was carving out his final 800 in 54.9 and 400 in 27.8 on the marker pegs in front, Copy That was last and four wide round the home turn but still flashing his final split in 27 flat.
McKendry said when Copy That came out in the run home “he really swished up to them but just flattened out the last bit” ending up two and a quarter lengths and half a neck from the winner.
“We were working that first round so he hasn’t gone bad. That will tidy him up a bit more.”
Trainer Ray Green described it as a typically game performance from Copy That, considering he had to do a bit in the running and was twice pushed wide.
“David was entitled to do what he did and Maurice didn’t think that cost him too much. I was happy with the run - he never misses a cheque.”
Green said the $25,000 Holmes DG (2700m) at Auckland in two weeks remained Copy That’s preferred next start but he wouldn’t hesitate to saddle up and take the horse south at the first sign that the race might not go ahead.
Green was delighted with the improved showing from Simply Sam to get the runners-up cheque of $3875.
Drive Andre Poutama rued the fact Brookies Jaffa had made such a smart beginning to take the early lead as it meant, while Sam enjoyed the early trail, he ended up three back when Fernleigh Cash took over down the back straight the first time.
“If I’d been able to trail I reckon I’d have won. He got home real good. I saved him for that one go.”
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
