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
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Sharpe Stride, Marylynes Boy, Omaha Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Colonel Lincoln, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Leo Lincoln, Prince Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
