Copy That warm favourite after Grins draw and Zac tight lipped on Old Town Road tactics
By Barry Lichter • 10 April 2023
Dual IRT New Zealand Cup champ Copy That has opened a warm $2.20 favourite after drawing beautifully for Friday night’s $1 million The Race By Grins.
Trainer Ray Green owes IRT boss Richard Cole a beer after he draw barrier four for Cambridge’s much-awaited slot race.
Copy That fared second best of the four favourites for the slot race in this evening’s special barrier draw, where connections drew their own mystery numbers, only Old Town Road doing better one inside him in three, seeing him made a firm second favourite at $3.
That means that when the emergency Smiffy’s Terror comes out, Old Town Road will start from two and Copy That three, a grid which sets up an exciting first few hundred metres.
Inaugural Grins winner Self Assured and Akuta were not so lucky, drawing gates 10 and 11, seeing their prices drift to $4.50 and $11.
Copy That’s trainer Ray Green was thrilled with the draw.
“I’m more than happy. The ultimum draw would have been two, three, four or even five. I would have been happy with any of those.
“We’ll get our chance from three. There shouldn’t be any excuses.”
Green said he expected Zachary Butcher and Old Town Road would have no trouble crossing pole runner No Matter Wat at the start.
“Old Town Road showed a bit of gate speed the other night but I doubt they’ll want to lead on him. Zac is pretty smart and he won’t want to stay there and get mauled.”
Butcher was keeping mum tonight when asked on SENZ radio if he would be leading or taking a trail.
“I’ve had six or seven people ring me since the draw asking the same question and I told them the same - you’ll have to find out.”
Butcher said he believed Old Town Road would be a sharper horse than when fourth in last week’s Waikato Flying Mile.
“He blew out halfway down the straight and had a good blow afterwards. But John (Dickie) had a plan to have him peaking for this race.”
Butcher, who declared “it’s going to be a real go” is on record saying Old Town Road is one of the few horses he has driven with Copy That’s speed.
Co-trainer Mark Purdon was philosophical about his two best chances drawing the second row.
“Copy That and Old Town Road have the advantage but Self Assured and Akuta follow them out and may take up a handy position.”
More news in Harness
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Smart workout shows Prince Lincoln’s ready to test the Blue Army at Auckland on Friday
On paper, Akuta looks home but Kevin Kline’s such a warrior he could get some of it
Improving Johnny Lincoln prevails in thrilling finish and takes aim at Sires’ Stakes
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
