Copy That (Andrew Drake) limbering up for the Ballarat Cup in a trial at Pukekohe 11 days ago.
Aussie bookies giving $4.20 for Copy That from good draw in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup
By Barry Lichter • 17 January 2023
Bookies opened Copy That a $4.20 second favourite for Saturday night’s A$150,000 Ballarat Pacing Cup (mobile 2710m) after he drew a good gate today.
Copy That will start from four on the front line should the emergency Interest Free come out, from where he will be nicely placed to be in the hunt throughout for driver Blair Orange.
Copy That has gate flyer Torrid Saint immediately inside him, as well as former Kiwi Cranbourne, who led all the way to win the Shepparton Cup at his Australian debut last Saturday night.
Leading Australian chance Rock N Roll Doo drew the pole, from where crack driver Anthony Butt is sure to try to hold as forward a position as possible.
Two of the next most favoured runners drew badly, Major Meister five on the second row and Mach Dan two on the second line.
The John Dickie-trained Old Town Road drew awkwardly on the inside of the second row for his Australian debut, with Zachary Butcher confirmed as his driver.
Interdominion winner I Cast No Shadow and Honolua Bay have opened up long in the market at $17 after drawing the outside of the gate.
More news in Harness
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It’s an even line-up but stick with fleet-footed Debbie Lincoln at Auckland on Friday night
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
