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: 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.”
