Hooray Henry, inner, levels with Copy That close to home.
Copy That undone by pork belly but Ray has two months before the cup to find those ribs
By Barry Lichter • 15 September 2023
Looking at Copy That’s porky belly as he dried the horse off, trainer Ray Green revealed his first-up defeat at Auckland came as no real surprise.
“His best races have been when you’ve been able to see a hint of all his ribs. He’s as fat as a pig at the moment.”
Collared a head in the final few strides by Hooray Henry, Copy That continued a run of fresh-up defeats, despite being allowed to dawdle through the second quarter of the mile in 34.5 seconds.
But though the clock showed a pedestrian 1:58.7, neither Green nor driver Maurice McKendry were disappointed in the run, his first for three and a half months.
McKendry said it was only over the last few metres that Copy That ran out of condition.
“We buzzed out of the gate and even though we got it easy in the mid stages, we were buzzing again down the back.”
Copy That is gifted a 34.5 second quarter, with Hooray Henry on his back.Attacked hard in the lead by Magic Four, Copy That sped through the third quarter in 27.5, before running 27.1 home for a lightning 54.6 last half.
“He was pacing beautifully and pulled up well, hardly blowing at all.”
Green said he was “pretty happy” with the run.
“I knew he’d be vulnerable first-up and I wasn’t confident of winning. I didn’t want him 100% at this stage of his cup prep - there’s still two months to go.
“And that horse (Hooray Henry) was hard fit after racing through the winter.”
Green said the result would have little bearing on Copy That’s immediate programme and he was leaving his options open.
Way forward cloudy
“The way the fields are up here we can’t make a hard and fast plan.”
Ideally, the horse could stay in the north for next Friday’s $25,000 Spring Cup (2200m stand) and the $25,000 The Holmes DG (2700m stand) on October 6.
“But if they can’t guarantee that the Spring Cup will go ahead on the 22nd we might just load up and head south.”
Copy That could then tackle the Group II $60,000 Canterbury Classic (2600m stand) at Addington on September 29, a race earmarked for the return of fellow cup favourites Akuta and Self Assured.
After that things get a little more tricky, Green not keen on the Group II $60,000 Ashburton Flying Stakes (2400m stand) on October 23.
“I don’t like that race. It’s a tough race so close to the big one. I’ve seen so many fall over by using that race as a last hitout.”
Kaikoura Cup day not for Copy That.Green said he was certainly not entertaining the Group II $60,000 Kaikoura Cup (2400m stand) on October 30 as an option.
A new race programmed at Addington on Friday, November 3, five days before the traditional cup trial, and 11 days before the $650,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup was an option, with R80 to R120 horses eligible.
Green remains relaxed about the path forward.
“He’s had two completely different preparations in the last two years and still won the cup both times.”
In 2021, Copy That had only two lead-up runs and, when his final race at Auckland was canned, Green put the winning polish on the champ with a virtual solo trial, running the fastest time recorded at Pukekohe.
Last year, after he fractured a splint bone and was out for eight months, Green put the miles into him with one race at home, four in Australia in September and October, and another two back home, finishing with a New Zealand record win from a 70 metre handicap at Cambridge.
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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.”
