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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Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
Ray: Put the line through Johnny’s last run - it was a walk-fest and he copped it late
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
8.15pm
“She couldn’t knick off a perfect trip last time in the amateur race so I won’t be holding my breath here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.53pm
“It looks like it will be a replica of his last two runs. He needs to drop down a class.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
5.53pm
“I think he’lll go another good race but you couldn’t make a case for him to beat the two favourites (American Me or Mantra Blue). If he ran third, I’d be rapt. He’s very genuine and his form reflects that.”
Race 3: The Rascal
6.24pm
“We’ve chucked him in the deep end - he’s a maiden against race winners - but he’s improving all the time. Fergy had difficulty steering him last time and said if he could have got him out, he would have won. We’ve made little changes to his gear this time and I think he’s a serious contender.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.26pm
“He feels super in his work. I’m really pleased with him. I know he hasn’t lived up to his early promise but the way he’s training he might now be ready to realise it.”
Race 9: Dreams Of Eric
9.32pm
“He wasn’t handling the right-handed going so well, which was why he switched to racing at Cambridge, but he’s a genuine little guy, a strong colt with a bit of speed. I think he’s a chance, it’s just the draw, but it’s only a small field.”
