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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
