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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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
