Copy That comes off the track after being pulled up mid-race.
Copy That became fired up after continually striking his sulky wheels
By Barry Lichter • 1 July 2020
Driver Maurice McKendry knew soon after the start of tonight’s feature race at Alexandra Park that he was in trouble with the favourite Copy That.
McKendry planned to drive the country’s top three-year-old quietly at the rear of the field in his first run back from a spell.
But the more McKendry tried to restrain the colt, the more he hit the sulky wheels with his hind legs and the more panicky he got.
Copy That raced so fiercely in the parked position that McKendry had no option but to pull pin 1200 metres out.
“He was just bolting on me and every time he nicked the cart he got worse.
“I couldn’t let him keep going round like that so I eased him out of the race and, as soon as he slowed up, he was all right again.”
Trainer Ray Green could quickly see something was wrong and said McKendry definitely did the right thing by the horse in pulling him out of the race.
“I’m just relieved he’s all right and the problem is easily rectified.”
Green said the sulky he used on Copy That was the same one he towed to success at Addington in March when he beat One Change in the Vero Flying Stakes.
But he would certainly have to let it out more when the horse returned to the Park in two weeks for his next start, which would be a 2200 metres mobile.
“The one positive we can take out of tonight is the way he stepped off from the stand. That was very encouraging and will set him up for future standing starts.”
The most famous case of a horse striking the sulky wheels was in the 2009 Interdominion Grand Final on the Gold Coast when it caused Auckland Reactor to get so fired up he choked down and tailed right off 500 metres from home.
“I know the punters will be hurting but at least it wasn’t a big race tonight,” Green said.
With Copy That out of play the race was won easily by the second favourite and back marker On The Cards who beat stablemate Major Jellis by four and a half lengths.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
