Copy That (Maurice McKendry) blazes clear to win by four lengths at Alexandra Park tonight. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images
Maurice big on Lincoln Farms’ star: Copy That sprinted so fast ‘he dug holes in the track’
By Barry Lichter • 29 July 2020
Top driver Maurice McKendry paid Copy That the ultimate compliment after he demolished his rivals with a front-running win at Alexandra Park tonight.
Asked after the race whether Copy That was as good as Lincoln Farms’ former Auckland Cup winner Sir Lincoln, McKendry replied: “Up until tonight I thought, no, but he just might be.
“When I pulled the plugs and yelled at him at the 200 he dug holes in the track,” said McKendry of the exceptional speed the horse showed.
Maurice McKendry brings Copy That back after his terrific return to form.“Only those really good ones can go zip like that.”
McKendry is well qualified to assess the relative merits of both pacers - he teamed with Sir Lincoln in 53 of his 57 starts when he won 21 races and $663,000.
Sir Lincoln was one of the fastest horses of his time, just nosed out of the 2012 Golden Mile at Menangle in Sydney by Captain Joy in 1:51.4.
Copy That didn’t have to go anywhere near as fast tonight, allowed to dawdle along in front with an opening half of 64.3, but he ripped home in 55.8 and 26.1 to put an ever increasing late four length space on the All Stars’ Smooth Deal.
“He loved it out there tonight,” said McKendry.
“He was really good out of the gate and that was just perfect for his first run back.”
Trainer Ray Green fields a call from owner Merv Butterworth in the winners’ circle.Trainer Ray Green, who fielded a call from excited Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth almost as soon as the horse crossed the line, said: “Once he led it was good night nurse, he just had too much gas for them. It was a fait accompli.
“He was clearly the best horse out there. We all know what he can do but he won’t even be at his peak for another couple of runs.”
Green will aim Copy That at September’s Spring Cup, which Sir Lincoln won in 2012, by which time he says the Barry Purdon contingent will be “on stream” and provide better competition.
“I’ll put in a nomination for the New Zealand Cup. I think he’ll be a serious contender.
“He came back in tonight and you wouldn’t even have known he’d had a run.”
More news in Harness
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Draw against Jessie Lincoln on debut but she’s the best of the four fillies in Lincoln green
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
