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
Maurice gets “motor cleaned up” and hands reins of Wave to 3000 club mate Tony Herlihy
The Night Fox the latest in Nate’s love affair with Vincent - and he’s working super
Dave Phillips back in the winner’s circle with Spiritual Bliss, lauding Lincoln Farms
Everything goes to script for new Gold Card member David Turner as Lincoln Wave swells
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
