Merv Butterworth looking over his top colt Copy That before the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park.
Merv reaches for favourite driver Blair Orange for Copy That’s New Zealand Derby campaign
By Barry Lichter • 13 March 2020
Copy That will have a new driver for his upcoming New Zealand Derby campaign with the country’s leading reinsman Blair Orange engaged to replace David Butcher.
Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth, who is a big fan of Orange’s, opted for the change after Copy That was beaten in last week’s $200,000 Northern Derby at Alexandra Park.
Copy That looked unlucky to finish only second after first being the victim of a Natalie Rasmussen push-out 1250 metres from home then being held up behind his tiring stablemate Tommy Lincoln, a drive which was questioned by the stewards.
Trainer Ray Green said Butterworth actually requested Orange team with Copy That four months ago before the $156,000 Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington “but I talked him out of it.”
Copy That ended up being beaten half a head in that race after putting in several rough steps in the running, Butcher doing well to keep him on an even keel.
Green drove Copy That himself in work this morning and reported the colt was keen to get back into it after enjoying three days off after the Northern Derby.
Copy That is due to fly south on Sunday morning for a two-race campaign, the $50,000 Vero Flying Stakes (mobile 1980m) at Addington on Friday week followed by the $200,000 New Zealand Derby (mobile 2600m) on April 3.
Maurice McKendry was impressed by Platinum Stride’s third in the Young Guns Final.He will be joined on the trip by Platinum Stride, who ran a fine third for Maurice McKendry in the $100,000 Young Guns Final last week behind Krug and It’s All About Faith.
He will run in a $22,000 Sires’ Stakes heat on March 20 and the $50,000 Welcome Stakes on derby night.
“Maurice really liked him and I think he’ll do well down there.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
