The race that convinced top driver Anthony Butt that Copy That had the all round game - coming from last to win the Wondai’s Mate in Brisbane, 2021. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Ants: Copy That has the right profile to join Who’s who list of Hunter Cup champions
By Barry Lichter • 2 February 2023
He’s driven more Hunter Cup winners than anyone else so you have to listen when Anthony Butt says Copy That fits the mould of previous champions of the race.
It takes a special horse to win harness racing’s equivalent of the Cox Plate, says Butt, and Lincoln Farms’ Copy That has all tools he needs to win Saturday night’s 74th running.
New Zealand-trained pacers have won 15 of the last 30 editions of Victoria’s summer showpiece, but the race has changed in recent years and got a lot harder to win, says Butt, one of New Zealand’s finest horsemen now based in Victoria.
“Kiwis had a great record in the race especially when it was a two mile stand. If you got in on the front, even if you weren’t the best horse, you could get home.
“Our horses came through New Zealand Cup preparations, had been racing in stands all spring, and were then pointed over here. Some of the best Australian horses would even miss the Hunter Cup if they weren’t good from a stand or were too far back in the handicap.
“But since the race became a mobile (in 2018) and the distance was cut to 2760 metres, the best of the best target the race, they all get away together, and it’s a lot harder to win.”
Some of harness racing’s greatest heroes already had their names engraved on the Hunter Cup when Butt started collecting trophies with the great mare Blossom Lady in 1994 and 1995.
Pin-ups like Village Kid, Preux Chevalier, Popular Alm, Gammalite, Koala King, Purse Steel (x3) and Royal Gaze had stamped the race as the ultimate prize.
1994 and 1995 Hunter Cup winner Blossom Lady with driver Anthony Butt and trainer Derek Jones.But one year after Master Musician started the roll for the Kiwis in 1993, Bloss showed her staying prowess.
“She was out and out tough and came from handicaps of 20 metres and 30 metres to win.”
Mister D G, who scored for Butt in 2004, was both tough and fast and, like his 2009 winner Mr Feelgood, enjoyed a perfect trip, “and was there at the top of the straight to be presented to win.
Mr Feelgood was “a great all-round horse” and began an unprecedented run in the race for Butt and his trainer brother Tim, who also scored with Stunin Cullen in 2011, Choise Achiever in 2012 and Mah Sish in 2013.
“Mah Sish had to be really tough to win. He found the front but got attacked the whole race and was out on his feet at the 400. But he was still tough enough to stall them all off. He also won the Ballarat Cup that year and finished second in the Interdom Final.”
On the other side of the coin Stunin Cullen won the Cup with his sheer speed.
“He was fabulously fast - one of the fastest I’ve driven over 200 metres - but he had to be held up. Both he and Choise Achiever got lucky - they got away fast, trailed the leader, and had the best runs. “It’s harder for sit-sprinters to win now - unless they draw well and sit behind the leader - because so many horses can make their own luck, get into it and rough it.
“The field is so strong most can sprint and stay. Nine times out of 10 the best horse will win but Melton is one of those tracks where barrier draws are still crucial.”
Butt believes six is a good alley for Copy That on Saturday night, better than if he’d drawn the inside, from where driver Blair Orange would have been at risk of being crossed and starved for room.
“He’ll be out of trouble, he can balance up, let the ones inside him sort themselves out, then go for the front if he wants it.”
Butt says while Copy That wouldn’t want to spend too many tickets early, and leave himself an easy target, there’s no question he can win.
“He’s an outstanding horse. Any horse that can win two New Zealand Cups is pretty special.
“He’s got the all round game. He’s good enough to go to the front but equally as good coming off a helmet.”
Butt discovered that first-hand when he drove a brilliantly timed race on Copy That to win the Wondai’s Mate in Brisbane in July, 2021.
“He sat four fence and was nearly last turning for home. Horses just don’t do what he did that night.”
Butt says while Copy That stands out on Saturday, there are a host of chances right behind him.
“Hardly anything would surprise you if they won. At this level all the horses are so good. There’s not much between first and last.
“My drive Rock N Roll Doo is a very good horse but he has to do things right. He’s a big chance if he relaxes but if he over-races, like he has in his last two starts, we’re in trouble.”
Copy That races at 11.07pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
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.”
