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
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
