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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Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
