Copy That can win Saturday night’s Victoria Cup with a perfect trailing draw, says trainer Ray Green.
All clear for Copy That and at $16 and $4 Ray says he’s at a great price in the Victoria Cup
By Barry Lichter • 6 October 2022
Copy That has scoped clear and will take his place in Saturday night’s A$300,000 Victoria Cup, trainer Ray Green believing he is primed to win.
Green reported the vet saw nothing out of the ordinary when Copy That was scoped today at Yabby Dam Farm in Ballarat in front of Victorian stewards.
“There’s nothing wrong with the horse. He’s in great shape and I think he’s very capable of winning if he gets a good trip.”
The finding only confirmed what Green expected, Copy That having been his normal self since it was discovered he had a minor bleed in last Saurday night’s Smoken Up Sprint at Melton when he weakened to fifth after sitting parked.
“It will all come down to luck in the running but we’re in with a decent shout.
“I can’t understand why people think he can’t win,” said Green laughing at the $16 and $4 quote the New Zealand TAB has on the horse.
“That shows you how much they know. I know what he’s capable of, the world knows, so they shouldn’t be disregarding him.
“He’s a New Zealand Cup winner who has won five Group I races, so he’s the best performed horse in the field.
“He’s going into the race in top shape. Apart from that last episode everything has gone to plan. He’s following out the second favourite, who will be trying to hold up, so he’ll be handy.
“Expensive Ego is a very good horse so he’s an obvious danger from two and Better Eclipse has run a 1:47 mile in the Chariots so he’s got to be tough too.
“You can’t fault what Rock N Roll Doo has done recently and Honolua Bay is a promising horse but I don’t think he’s ready to beat anybody important yet.
“There are some tidy horses in the race but nothing Copy That can’t handle.”
Green says he’s done nothing different with Copy That this week.
“He did a bit of steady work yesterday and a little bit of the same today, though not as intense.
“Tomorrow I’ll just jog him, I won’t be drilling him with any fast work, that’s not what I do. I’ll leave that to the others.”
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
