Copy That’s owners Merv and Meg Butterworth … looking for more luck at the start of Tuesday’s Trotting Cup.
Merv rapt with Copy That’s Trotting Cup draw with main rivals out the back on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 3 November 2021
Owner Merv Butterworth was delighted when Copy That today drew wide on the front line for Tuesday’s $600,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
Copy That came up with the 10 marble for the cup but with two emergencies, Matt Damon and Taipo, drawn inside him he will start from eight on the 10-strong front line with Henry Hubert and Bad To The Bone outside him.
Even better, Copy That’s two main rivals will both start from the second line, with Self Assured in 12 and South Coast Arden one of three runners wider out on the unruly mark.
The draws have seen a shuffle at the top of the market with the TAB lifting Copy That to be the $4.50 second favourite and easing South Coast Arden right out to $5. Self Assured holds favouritism at $2.70.
“When I was talking to Ray (Green) a couple of days ago I told him I wanted six, seven or eight and we’ve got eight,” Butterworth said.
“Fingers crossed we’ll have more luck than last year but I’ll be happier after the race.”
Traditionally it has been an advantage for a good beginner to be wider on the front line in the cup, rather than on the inside from where they can potentially become bottled up.
Copy That felt the full brunt of that scenario last year when he drew the rails but ended up last in the early running while eventual winner Self Assured was allowed to get away with a flying start from wide on the second line and was disputing the lead after only 200 metres.
New protocols for standing starts in the south should prevent that from happening this year, with replacement starter Ricky Donnelly demanding horses stand before releasing the tapes.
Others treated well in today’s draw include swift beginners Pembrook Playboy ($5.50) in three and Classie Brigade ($7.50) alongside in four, the only others less than $31 in the field.
Copy That, who is due to fly south to Christchurch on Thursday, had his final serious hitout this morning, Green happy with the way he trained at Pukekohe.
“I bowled him over two miles and let him go strong over the final bit, but didn’t overdo him, and he did it really well.”
More news in Harness
Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too
Canny Fergie drive gets Lincoln Lover home at Taupo - and it won’t be his last win
Thoughts for Lincoln Farms’ groupie Margaret Rabbitt after Johnny Lincoln braves it out
Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
