Copy That ‘enormous’ but frustrated Ray can’t find a race for him in derby lead-up
By Barry Lichter • 2 February 2020
A lack of races for top three-year-old Copy That here saw his connections considering a bizarre plan to fly the horse to Australia for one race and return immediately to help his Northern Derby preparation.
Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green and Australian owner Merv Butterworth say they are frustrated at poor programming in the north which could make it impossible for them to ready the horse properly for the Auckland classic on March 6.
Copy That showed that he is flying in training when he trounced a strong field at Saturday’s Pukekohe workouts, downing Check In, Zealand Star and Dance Time in the up-to-rating 86 heat over 2050 metres, clocking a mile rate of 1:58.4 and sprinting home in fast sectionals of 56.5 and 27.2.
Copy That downs One Change in the Alabar Classic. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Driver Andrew Drake told Green the horse was jogging at the finish and had he pulled the plugs he would have cleared off and left them, not just won by half a length.
“He’s training enormous, “ said Green. “He’s really in the zone and could possibly have gone to another level.
“But I can’t get a start for him. He’s not eligible for a single race at Auckland on Friday and the only race the week after that is a standing start over 2700 metres.”
Green is not keen on either the distance or the stand so soon in the horse’s prep and to make matters worse there’s no meeting at Auckland on February 21 and Copy That is ineligible for the Waikato Guineas at Cambridge that night because it is restricted to horses rated no higher than R65.
“Copy That is the benchmark three-year-old so why wouldn’t they be keen on seeing him race. It seems they’re catering now for the grass trackers and not the good horses.
Copy That’s Australian owner Merv Butterworth.“Merv considered flying Copy That to Australia to get a start and coming straight back.”
But Green says it’s crazy that they should even have to start thinking like that.
The Derby Prelude (mobile 2200m) is set down for Alexandra Park on February 28 and Green says if that race doesn’t draw enough entries he won’t be afraid to take on the free-for-allers in the $30,000 Lincoln Farms’ The Founders Cup (mobile 2200m).
The Group I $200,000 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby (mobile 2700m) is at the Park on February 6.
Copy That has not raced since December 14 when he downed One Change in the Alabar Classic at Auckland, rating 1:55 for the 2200 metres, run in a blistering 2:37.3.
No race for Zealand Star either
Zealand Star, also owned by Butterworth, ran another bold workout on Saturday, finishing just a length behind Copy That after leading, but he too will be home in his box this Friday with no races on the programme that a R74 pacer is eligible for.
Zealand Star won twice at Cambridge last prep.The run followed his improver’s effort the previous Saturday when he finished fourth behind Mogul, only two and a half lengths away, despite driver Andre Poutama’s efforts to give him a quiet workout.
It’s more than 10 months since Zealand Star raced when he had surgery to pin his right hind pastern with three screws.
But Poutama said last week he was very impressed at how relaxed the horse was - “I let him come out of the gate under his own steam and he didn’t try to charge away” - and how he went to the line strongly, hard on their backs in a 27.2 closing quarter.
Zealand Star had a tendency to over-race last campaign when he won two races including a 1:54.8 track record for 1700 metres at Cambridge.
More news in Harness
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Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
