Kango is rattling home but Copy That (Maurice McKendry) has the City Of Auckland Free-for-all sewn up. PHOTO: Megan Liefting.
Maurice set for bonus drives on Copy That after the Pukekohe pony delivers again
By Barry Lichter • 5 March 2021
Top driver Maurice McKendry is expected to retain the drive behind eftpos machine Copy That when he treks south for his next assignments in a few weeks.
McKendry teamed with Lincoln Farms’ star at Alexandra Park tonight for his 17th win, telling trainer Ray Green the horse bagged the $45,600 City Of Auckland Free-for-all quite easily despite having to work hard to find the front.
Under normal circumstances McKendry would have vacated the seat behind Copy That when he trekked to the South Island where owner Merv Butterworth favours using the country’s leading driver Blair Orange.
But Orange is under suspension for failing an alcohol test before the start of the races at Motukarara on January 24 and cannot drive again until after April 5.
Copy That’s next target is two days before that, April 3, the Group I $100,000 Breckon Farms/All Stars Racing Easter Cup (3200m) at Addington.
And Green says it’s likely he’ll give the horse a lead-up race a week earlier at Addington in the Group III $30,000 Teltrac Free-for-all (mobile 1980m) on March 26.
“We’ll be having a look at that race in the next few days - we’ve got a bit of time up our sleeve - but I’d say he’ll run. It would be a big ask to have a month in between runs before a 3200 metre race.”
Merv Butterworth … more relieved than excited.Green admitted that both he and Butterworth were more relieved than excited after Copy That’s latest win, the eighth time McKendry has saluted on the horse.
“A lot is expected of the horse now and even though he stood over them on paper, you wonder if for some weird reason he won’t deliver. So it was more a relief when he got the job done.”
Copy That was forced to work overtime early, when caught three wide round the first bend, but McKendry pressed forward to find the front by the end of the back straight.
“He had to pay his dues to get the lead but he got away with murder in the middle stages and it was very clinical after that,” Green said.
The expected home stretch challenge from second favourite Christianshavtime, who was left parked, was short lived and it was left to the improving Cambridge pacer Kango to run Copy That to one and a quarter lengths.
Copy That’s winning time was only 2:40.3, but he zipped home in 56.5 and 26.8.
The win took Copy That’s career tally to $358,629 from 33 starts.
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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.”
