New NZ Cup favourite Copy That powers home in 26 flat, feeling enormous
By Barry Lichter • 19 September 2020
Copy That, the new outright favourite for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, felt enormous in his workout at Pukekohe today, according to driver Maurice McKendry.
Given a quiet run in preparation for Friday night’s $22,500 Spring Cup (2200m) at Alexandra Park, Copy That tootled along at the rear of the four-horse heat and did not pull out to challenge until the run home.
“I told Maurice he didn’t need to be drilled,” said trainer Ray Green.
“They didn’t go hard and Maurice said he was eating up the ground at the finish. He clocked him to run his last quarter in 26 flat.”
The 2500 metre heat was won by pacemaker On The Cards in 3:16.6, a mile rate of 2:06.5, the pace going on only over the last 800 in 56.7 and 26.7.
He beat home trailing stablemate Belle Of Montana by three-quarters of a length with another length to Copy That, who ran past Mach Shard.
“It was a perfect run for him and he’s in good shape for Friday.”
Green said he still could not say whether Copy That would stay in the north for the $22,500 Holmes DG (2700m) on October 9 or travel south.
“A lot will depend on IRT and the planes. There are no flights at the moment. You can fly them to Sydney but not Christchurch.”
Green said he was working with IRT, the new sponsor of the $540,000 cup on November 10, to solve the problem.
Green said a decision would be left as late as possible to try to avoid a long road trek south.
Green wasn’t surprised to hear Copy That had been promoted to $2.50 favourite for the 3200 metre feature after the defection of Self Assured from Sunday’s Hannon Memorial because of sore feet.
Punters were already getting wary of backing the All Stars’ hero after he completely muffed the standing start at Addington last Tuesday and was pulled up.
“He’s obviously getting stressed out at the start. He’s a very good horse and will take some beating in the cup but, if he doesn’t step, he’ll be in trouble.
“Copy That stepped beautifully today - he’s so well gaited it’s easy for him to step into a pace.”
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Spirit Of God
5.48pm
“She’s got a bit of lick but I’ll leave it up to the driver (Matthew White) to decide whether to leave the gate. Barry Purdon’s horse Dino looks the one to beat.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.12pm
“Her race last time was a non-event, the silliest race I’ve seen for a long time, with a middle half in 66.6. It shouldn’t be legal. In the US they’d fine you for going that slow. She tries hard but looks up against it here.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.12pm
“She was out for a long time but has had three runs back now and should be close to being ready to rock. The wide draw makes it tough in a big field.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.20pm
“It’s always difficult for any horse off a draw like this, let alone one like him, as we know he doesn’t race as well from off the pace. We just have to hope his big demolition job woke him up a lot. His form eclipses anything else in the race but whether or not he’ll bring his best is anyone’s guess.”
