Copy That downs Bad To The Bone in the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Copy That clinical and we’ll see him again at Auckland before he goes south for the cup
By Barry Lichter • 9 October 2021
Copy That’s path to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup is set after his clincial win in Friday night’s Spring Cup at Alexandra Park.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green will keep the horse in the north and tackle the $25,000 Holmes DG (2700m) on October 22, before going south where he will use the $50,000 Kaikoura Cup (2600m) as his final lead-up.
“Taking the horse up to Kaikoura was out of the question before but now that the meeting has been moved to Addington that race becomes a better option than Ashburton,” Green said today.
It also gives Green more chance of being able to accompany Copy That south in the event Covid levels are lowered and he can leave the Auckland boundary.
Green saw enough from Copy That last night to be assured the horse is in good shape for his mission, even though he beat Bad To The Bone by only three-quarters of a length after enjoying the one-one sit.
“He did only what he had to. Maurice (McKendry) was pleased with how much acceleration he showed when he pulled the plugs and dashed to the front.
“Once he got away Maurice said he switched off and he had to start driving him, but he said he did it quite easily.”
Copy That had to run only 2:44.7 for the standing 2200 metre sprint, which was nearly four seconds slower than he paced when pipped in the race last year, the ante upped only to a 56.4 half and 28.2 quarter.
“I think he’s in a good place, where he needs to be,” Green said. “He ate up everything last night but he’s having a lie down in his paddock now, he’s a bit tired.
“He’ll have a little bowl round here at the Pukekohe workouts next Saturday and then run in the Holmes DG.
“Then, if I still can’t travel, I’ll have to post him down to somebody before the Kaikoura Cup.”
The Kaikoura Cup, on November 1, is eight days before the $600,000 Cup, for which Copy That is now a $5 third favourite behind Self Assured ($2.80) and South Coast Arden ($3.20).
Copy That extended his impressive record last night to 22 wins from 42 starts for $622,297 in stakes.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
