The winner’s purse for the New Zealand Trotting Cup today is $297,000.
Money pours onto Copy That for the cup - and some early birds are holding juicy tickets
By Barry Lichter • 10 November 2020
Copy That’s odds continue to tumble in the hours leading up to today’s $540,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
The weight of money on Lincoln Farms’ stable star is such that TAB bookies this morning cut his price to just $2.60.
But there are a number of punters who hold much tastier tickets on Copy That, one of the best someone who put $90 on the horse three months ago at $26.
TAB bookie Matt Peden said early bets were also placed on the horse at odds of $31 and the best price he touched was $41 after he was pulled up when resuming at Auckland on July 1.
In seven starts since Copy That has racked up six wins and a close second during which time his odds have steadily tumbled.
“He’s clearly the best backed horse in the field, over Self Assured, and now accounts for 35% to 40% of the win hold,” Peden said.
So far no one has unloaded huge amounts on Copy That with the biggest bets two of $1000 at $3.80 and numerous $300 bets at the same price.
“The bigger punters haven’t stepped in yet but they will probably get involved later today.”
With turnovers up on last year, Peden is expecting heavy betting on the cup, which starts at 5.34pm.
More news in Harness
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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.”
