Copy That shoots for his 19th win at Auckland on Friday night.
Copy That’s great constitution sees him odds-on to complete Group One double on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2021
Watching Copy That charging round his paddock on Tuesday told trainer Ray Green all he needed to know.
Four days after his brave win in the Taylor Mile, Lincoln Farms’ star pacer was fully recovered and primed for a Group One double on Friday night in the $95,000 NZ Messenger Championship.
“He’s got a great constitution. He ate everything on Friday night after the race so it obviously didn’t hurt him.”
Green drove Copy That in his final training session on Wednesday, setting him a solid 2400 metre trip which he completed in 3:12.
“He had a decent workout and pulled up well. He’s not a flashy trackwalker, especially on his own, but he had a heavy cart on and sprinted up a bit at the finish. I can’t fault where he’s at.”
Copy That enjoys a pick in his paddock. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green said Copy That was not at his peak when he resumed last week, a huge rap given the horse was made to work hard to reach the front, was attacked mercilessly in the running and still paced the mile in 1:54.5 on a shocking wet track.
“I wanted to race him a week before the Taylor Mile and couldn’t get a start, so the short trip helped. Had it been 2700 last week I would have been a bit worried.
“But he got home in 26.6 off the front and Maurice said he travelled really nicely.
“You couldn’t make a case for the others being unlucky, they all had their chance, nothing was running him down.”
Green said while Amazing Dream took a couple of lengths off Copy That in the run home, the mare had enjoyed a cosy trip in the one-one.
“She did no work and got sucked along whereas Copy That had to work hard early then copped a mauling from Bad To The Bone. It’s not like he got away with murder.”
Green said it was impossible to make a case that Copy That won’t get the 2700 metre trip as well. The bare stats of the horse having raced over 2700 metres four times for only one win and one placing were completely misleading.
Copy That, right, flies home from the rear to finish a close fifth in Spankem’s Franklin Cup. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race ImagesWhen Copy That tackled 2700 metres in the Holmes DG he came from 30 metres behind and thumped his rivals.- When he ran second to Amazing Dream in the Northern Derby he was desperately unlucky not to win after being snookered for a run on the home turn and flashing home.
- When he ran fifth in the Franklin Cup he was only 1.4 lengths from winner Spankem and motored home from the rear in one of the runs of the race.
- And in his only other attempt he was pulled up in the running when he over-raced badly fresh-up, hitting the sulky wheels.
Copy That has also shown the extreme 3200 metres holds no fears for him.
- His first attempt, when eighth in last November’s New Zealand Cup, was blighted by a shemozzle of a start, all the horses drawn the inside left standing flat-footed while those wide out got a flyer, resulting in long-time started Peter Lamb losing his job at Addington.
- In the Auckland Cup on New Year’s Eve, Copy That was the victim of an army of All Stars competitors and despite racing parked for the last two laps still finished only a neck and half a length third, closing late in tight quarters on Amazing Dream and Spankem.
Green knows it’s not easy to lead all the way over 2700 metres and that’s why he says he wouldn’t worry if Copy That doesn’t make the pace on Friday night.
“I don’t care where he is in the running as long as he gets a good trip.”
But from gate two it’s inconceivable to think that driver Maurice McKendry won’t head straight to the top and dominate.
“I try not to get too confident because you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment,” Green said. “I like eggs but not too much on my face.
“Winning Group One races isn’t supposed to be easy. These are the best of his age around and there are some good horses in the race. I was actually surprised how well all the first four went last week.
“But I know how good Copy That is and it will take a very good effort to beat him.”
The TAB bookies think the same, opening Copy That at $1.55, after spoiling punters last week with a $2.10 quote. Amazing Dream is at $4 and Bad To The Bone $7.
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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.”
