Copy That just outside national record - and Maurice says he could have gone faster

It’s very rarely that you hear top driver Maurice McKendry rave about a horse - but he could barely contain himself after Copy That thrashed the best northern pacers at Alexandra Park tonight.

McKendry has been driving for 45 years and reined home 3276 winners who have earned more than $29 million in stakes. But few have impressed him like Lincoln Farms’ little missile did when he cleared out to win the Dunstan Pace by five lengths from top mare Belle Of Montana and Triple Eight.

With McKendry only raising the reins a few times in the home straight, and showing him the whip, Copy That hurtled to the line in 1:58.3 for the mobile 1700 metres, a staggering mile rate of 1:52 flat in less than ideal conditions.

And despite the four-year-old clocking a supersonic 53.8 for his last 800 metres and 26.2 for his final 400, McKendry said the horse felt like he could have gone quicker if pushed.

Maurice McKendry reports on Copy That’s outstanding run to Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth.“He was unreal,” said McKendry shaking his head. “When I let him down in the straight it was like he’d just joined in.

“What impressed me the most was the way he did it. It was just so easy for him.”

McKendry said he expected pole runner Wainui Creek to push him out of the gate with her noted gate speed.

“But I was surprised I got the front as quickly as I did.

“Then when that one (Dance Time) came at me down the back he really wanted to race it.

“I thought Sir Lincoln was fast but this guy is better and I think he’ll be more tractable too. You’ll be able to sit him in behind, come out and go whoosh.”

McKendry drove Lincoln Farms’ champion Sir Lincoln to a New Zealand record 2:00.5 for 1700 metres at Alexandra Park in 2013.

Copy That’s time was 2.2 seconds faster than that and only two tenths of a second outside Mossdale Connor’s national mark for colts and geldings. Elle Mac holds the allcomers’ record of 1:57.9, set in 2018.

McKendry talked to excited Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth immediately on returning to the stable.

“You’ve got a nice one Merv,” he said. “I think he’s a very good horse. Ray (Green) reckons he’s the best horse he’s trained and I think he’s right.

“He just skims across the ground.”

On hearing Copy That’s time, McKendry said, given the ease of his win, he believed the horse would be capable of pacing 1:50 for a mile.

Green reckons in the United States Copy That could clock 1:47.

“He’s even better than I thought he was. And he pulls up so well, with a very low heart rate.”

Copy That has more left in the tank despite being only two tenths of a second outside the national mark for colts and geldings.A few minutes later, when Green returned to a hero’s reception at Lincoln Farms’ office, he reported the horse was so relaxed you’d hardly know he’d raced.

“He’s over there screaming and carrying on at the fillies in the barn.

“And he’s holding his condition so well now. Last year he was pretty light - you could count his ribs after a race.”

Green will now prepare the horse for the Spring Cup, the first semi feature in the north with the Holmes DG to follow.

But his programme will be aimed squarely at the New Zealand Cup at Addington in November.

Asked if he thought the horse would cop 3200 metres, Green didn’t hesitate.

“He’ll stay no problem because he has such a big engine. He showed that when he ran an unlucky second in the derby last season.

“And to think there were times earlier in his career when I would have taken $10,000 for him.”

McKendry recalls passing Copy That in a workout one day at Pukekohe, seeing his legs all over the place, and wondering how he didn’t fall over.

Green’s wife Debbie reluctantly parted with the horse after his second win in June, 2019.

He has now won 10 of his 21 starts for $196,824 in stakes - with so much more to come.