Copy That comes up three-quarters of a length short of Self Assured, with Better Eclipse third. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Copy That on the receiving end of Messenger walk fest but Ray and Blair happy with champ
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2023
As soon as commentator Aaron White revealed Self Assured got away with the middle half of tonight’s Messenger in 65.4, trainer Ray Green knew Copy That was in trouble.
The sectional, which most maidens could beat in their sleep at Alexandra Park, signalled those back in the field had no chance.
And it proved insurmountable even for Copy That, on Self Assured’s back, as he came up three-quarters of a length short in the home stretch drag race.
“It was always going to be tricky to get past Self Assured after Nat walked them,” Green said. “There’s nothing between the two horses.”
Driver Blair Orange, who handed up to Self Assured 1800 metres from home, was equally as matter-of-fact.
“Anything that gets a soft run in front like that is hard to beat. You can’t grow wings and fly.”
Self Assured was flying as it was, Natalie Rasmussen only having to dial it up when Smiffy’s Terror roared round to press the issue 800 metres from home, reeling off a sizzling 53.9.
“I was happy with him,” Orange said of Copy That. “There was no speed in the middle part which didn’t help but he travelled great, kind, didn’t pull.
“And to his credit he was just winding up again at the finish and they ran home in 26.9.”
The final sectionals may have been electric but overall the time of 3:18.8 was average, all of 5.7 seconds slower than Majestic Cruiser’s clocked in winning the Messenger last year, albeit that was a New Zealand record.
That made the run of Australian Better Eclipse a bottler again, as he sat parked for the last 1200 metres and was just a neck behind Copy That at the finish.
Green said he couldn’t complain about the run of Copy That, only the reduced stake of $80,550 for the Group I race.
But he was pleased to see his little champ breach the $2 million mark in earnings, the $13,950 runners-up prize boosting his lifetime tally to $2,004,476.
Green said he would now just keep Copy That ticking over in preparation for the $180,000 Auckland Cup on May 26.
He was undecided whether the horse would contest the $45,000 Roy Purdon Memorial a week earlier, given the 2200 metre stand was hardly the best lead-up to the 3200 metre cup.
“But we don’t have to make any decisions yet, we’ve got three weeks for that.”
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Sugar Ray Lincoln and Kevin Kline in fighting form for Friday night at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
5.33pm
“He hasn’t raced for more than four months but he’s trotting well in training and has had a couple of workouts. He steps well so if Fergie can keep him away from the others, and he slides on from the 20 metre mark, he could even lead, and that would make him the one to beat. It doesn’t take much for him to lose concentration though.”
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“He hasn’t raced for a while but should go well. He finished off his workout really well on a 26.9 quarter for a close fourth behind some good ones (Greased Lightnin, Beetastic and Diamonds Are Forever). He beat himself in his last few runs by racing too keenly but he’s capable enough.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.30pm
“She went to the line under a hold last week. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that. She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home. Joyride looks the one to beat.”
Race 3: Tyson
6.23pm
“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week. He never got the chance to get out. From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.52pm
“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.52pm
“Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray. He closed fast from the back last Friday and is better suited over 2200 metres this week.”
