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.”
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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.”
