Driver Maurice McKendry gave Copy That a searching workout at Pukekohe this morning. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
NZ Cup bound Copy That sets Pukekohe track alight with supersonic workout
By Barry Lichter • 30 October 2021
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is confident Copy That is primed for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after a sensational hitout at Pukekohe this morning.
Copy That was paired with fellow cup contender Christianshavtime in a 2500 metre workout and from the second he stepped to the front, driver Maurice McKendry had the handlebars down.
Copy That, pacing fluently throughout, ran away from his rival in the home straight to win by 15 lengths in a staggering 3:03.5.
Commentator Aaron White and some veteran track clockers in the box could not remember a faster time being run at Pukekohe which has much tighter corners than race circuits like Alexandra Park.
By comparison, when Copy That finished fourth behind Alta Wiseguy, Bad To The Bone and Christianshavtime in a workout on October 1, the overall time for the 2500 metres was more than eight seconds slower at 3:11.9, a mile rate of 2:03.5, with the closing 800 in 55.3 and 26.
A week earlier when Cruzee Mach beat Bad To The Bone and Christianshavtime, the 2500 metres took 3:14.4, a mile rate of 2:05.1, with the closing half and quarter in 56.1 and 26.3.
Copy That’s time represented a mile rate of 1:58.1, and saw him scream over his last 800 metres in 54.9 and 400 in 27.8.
“I’d think that would be a track record all right,” Green said. “I told Maurice to go at race speed because that’s what he needed.
“Maurice said he felt really super. He got him to run his last mile and a half in 2:54.”
Green said he could tell Copy That was “really in the zone” by the way he was travelling and he was even more pleased on the horse’s return.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way he pulled up. He hardly blew at all.
“His heart rate was 82 on returning to the barn and dropped to 74 after I hosed him down, so he’s in good shape.
“I know he’s had an unorthodox prep (only two lead-up races) but I’m not worried at all and based on today’s run it could be a good prep. I’d be surprised if he didn’t race really well in the cup.
“I respect the favourite Self Assured but we’ve beaten him before and he doesn’t look to be any better than he was. I certainly wasn’t terrified by what I saw of him at Ashburton.”
Green says Copy That won’t need any more fast work before he flies to Christchurch on Thursday.
“He’ll do a bit of pacework and he might have a sprint up on Wednesday, but nothing serious.
“All the stars are aligning and I think we’re a real chance in the cup. We just need a good trip and no dramas.”
Copy That was today equal third favourite with Pembrook Playboy on $6.50 after being $8 last week.
Self Assured holds favouritism at $2.30 with South Coast Arden a solid second fancy at $2.80.
The $600,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) is run on Tuesday, November 9.
More news in Harness
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Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
