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.”
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
