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: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
