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.”
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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.”
