Copy That is just entering picture shot after starting from 55 metres behind at Auckland.
Copy That out to create modern day history again - this time from 70 metres behind
By Barry Lichter • 25 October 2022
Copy That will attempt on Friday what no other pacer in the last 42 years has achieved - win from a 70 metre back mark over 2700 metres.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green confirmed today he would go ahead with plans to run Copy That at Cambridge in what will be his final lead-up to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
And he is not fazed by the fact the horse will start from such a long handicap in the rating 55 front race.
A rating 120 pacer, he will have to give 20 metres to his biggest rival Hot And Treacherous (R89) and 50 metres to the next highest rated Rough And Ready (R67).
“But he’s effectively gone back only five metres on last week when Bunty Hughes’ horse had a 15 metre start on him.
“Sure, it’s a big handicap but it’s not so terrible. He’s always stepped well, but he’s getting quite slick at it now.”
Copy That had the measure of Hot And Treacherous after only 100 metres at Auckland last week, when he flew the tape and his No. 1 rival galloped away.
His effort to win untested, unleashing a dazzling home stretch sprint from near last, saw him become the only pacer in the last 42 years to win from a 55 metre handicap over the sprint trip of 2200 metres.
Six other pacers have registered wins from 55 metres, but five of those were at 2700 metres - Kate’s First, Agua Caliente, Alta Serena, Sir Lincoln and On The Cards - and one over 3200 metres - Delightful Lady.
No pacers since 1980 have contested 2700 metre races and won from 70 metres. Two have scored from 60 metres - Agua Caliente at Auckland in 2000 and Zenola Seelster at Cambridge in 2012.
“They don’t give you any extra money when you win off these marks do they?” Green joked.
“I’m not worried. It’s hard to know what will happen. You can’t predict anything in a standing start race but he should go well.
“And it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t win a $16k race - we won’t go hungry.
“The object of the exercise is to give him his last hitout before the cup. It’s either go down to Cambridge on Friday or go to the trials where in all likelihood he’d have to run by himself.”
Green says with last week’s winning pilot Blair Orange expected to drive at Methven the same day, it’s likely Zachary Butcher will keep the seat warm behind Copy That on Friday night.
Butcher has driven Copy That four times for four wins.
Meanwhile, Copy That’s owners Merv and Meg Butterworth will be trying to achieve another rare feat with Sacred Mountain and She Reigns earlier in the night.
The pair are co-backmarkers on 55 metres in the fillies’ and mares’ trot, run over 2200 metres.
In the last 42 years only four trotters have scored over the sprint trip from such a long mark.
* Silver Stream won from 55 metres behind at Otaki on January 17, 2016
* Aspiring Lass won from 60 metres behind at Cambridge on May 8, 1993
* The Expatriate won from 70m behind at Invercargill on February 16, 1991 and
* Majestic One won from 80m behind at Otaki on February 3, 2019.
A total of 173 horses have scored from 55 metres behind or further since 1980, 158 of them trotters.
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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.”
