Copy That staves off the opposition in the Vero Flying Stakes at Addington. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Merv’s an armchair viewer at heart so Covid-19 isn’t stopping him from enjoying Copy That
By Barry Lichter • 20 March 2020
Merv and Meg Butterworth have never won a pacing derby but they won’t be complaining about not being allowed on course if Copy That wins the $200,000 New Zealand Derby on April 3.
Covid-19 kept the Butterworths at home in Melbourne tonight when Copy That showed true grit to beat arch rival One Change in the $50,000 Vero Flying Stakes at Addington.
And with coronavirus restrictions not likely to be relaxed any time soon, Merv Butterworth says he’s resigned to not being able to experience first hand one of racing’s greatest thrills in a fortnight.
“It doesn’t really matter - winners are grinners.
Merv and Meg Butterworth are enjoying Copy That’s progression.“I’m a great believer in armchair racing anyway. You can see everything that happens, watch the driver’s hands, and see a whole lot more that you can’t when you’re at the track.”
Butterworth, like us all, is still coming to grips with the extraordinary measures being reeled out to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“The Australian Government’s new rule is we’re not allowed within four square metres of each other when indoors. Meg broke that rule tonight when she hugged me after the race and I’m thinking about whether I should dob her in or not!”
Butterworth was on the phone to Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green as soon as Copy That crossed the line, one and a quarter lengths clear of One Change, delighted they’d outfoxed the All Stars after the Northern Derby disappointment last start.
“One Change beat us once by half an inch but we’ve had his measure every other time we’ve met and we beat him fair and square tonight.
“We always knew this horse was very good but he’s getting even better and that’s because Ray’s done a bloody exceptional job.
“To keep the horse up and racing for so long and to see him still improving is great testament to Ray’s skill.”
Copy That ran the 1980 metres of the Vero in 2.20.3, only 1.3 seconds outside Ultimate Sniper’s New Zealand three-year-old record.
The time represented a blistering mile rate of 1:54, sensational time given Copy That hardly had the easiest of trips.
Green admitted that when he saw the horse stuck out three wide early then new driver Blair Orange take him up to the death seat before working over One Change for the lead, he thought it was curtains.
Copy That is brave to the line, holding out One Change, inner, after doing a lot of work in the running.“I thought he’d be a sitting duck after that and that the others would have the drop on him. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to worry them all out of it.
“But he’s just so tough with a big motor and he’s fast enough to handle any of those horses out there tonight.
“He’s got it all, the whole package, and he’s getting better with a bit of age on him.”
Green says when he discussed tactics with Orange he indicated he wouldn’t be sorry to see the horse lead, even from eight on the gate,.
“I told Blair the horse had two weeks to get over the run but he looks to have pulled up really well. You wouldn’t know he’d been out there.”
Green is used to hearing Orange use his superlatives sparingly but he did get the impression that “he’s pretty high on him and that he’ll be hard to beat in the derby.
“I don’t think he has to improve any to win it. If he does the same job that he did tonight he’ll be the one to beat.”
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Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
