Trainer Ray Green is looking for the real Copy That to stand up at Ballarat on Sunday.
Copy That in perfect health and will have a surprise outing at Ballarat on Sunday
By Barry Lichter • 21 December 2021
Copy That will make a surprise appearance in the A$24,000 Sokyola Sprint (1710m) at Ballarat on Sunday after passing every vet check this week with flying colours.
Trainer Ray Green had the horse exhaustively tested after he weakened out to run a distant last in his campaign opener at Cranbourne last Saturday night.
“His blood is perfect, he scoped perfectly, I had his heart looked at and it’s perfect. Everything is perfect.
“He’s eating well and looks super, so why not race him instead of going round at the trials for no money? That’s what we’re here for.
“While you like to find a reason for a bad performance, the reason was he had such an awful trip.”
Caught five wide early then four wide and three wide round the first turn, Copy That made an aborted attack for the lead before briefly landing the one-one then sprinting round to sit parked for the rest of the 2555 metre cup.
Green confirmed Chris Svanosio would retain the drive on Copy That and this time he will have carte blanche to do what he likes.
“We shouldn’t have insisted he drive the horse aggressively at Cranbourne.
“I should have said ‘do your own thing’ which is what I normally do - let the drivers be drivers.
“Chris knows the other drivers and horses so there’s no point in me getting in my two pennies worth.”
Green says the timing of the Ballarat race is perfect for Copy That, giving him two weeks until his next target, the A$70,000 Bendigo Cup on January 8.
“He’ll draw the outside but that’s good as it means he’ll probably have to go back.
“They’re not expecting a stellar bunch so with his speed he should be able to get over the top of them.”
Green says the 1710 metre trip wouldn’t overly tax Copy That and should have him primed for his next start.
“But I really just want to see him go round properly and not stop like he did last time.”
The fields for Ballarat are expected to be posted tomorrow.
More news in Harness
Sugar Ray finally finds his mojo, outpunching Tyson, but Ray’s still guarded about the future
Smart workout shows Prince Lincoln’s ready to test the Blue Army at Auckland on Friday
On paper, Akuta looks home but Kevin Kline’s such a warrior he could get some of it
Improving Johnny Lincoln prevails in thrilling finish and takes aim at Sires’ Stakes
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
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.”
