Merv rapt with Copy That’s Trotting Cup draw with main rivals out the back on Tuesday

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.”