Blair Orange, not surprisingly, sticks with Copy That over The Big Lebowski in Friday’s Auckland Cup.
One more hit-out for Copy That tomorrow and he’ll be primed for Friday’s Auckland Cup
By Barry Lichter • 22 May 2023
Copy That is in good order for Friday night when he will have only eight rivals in the $180,000 Auckland Cup.
Though Copy That hasn’t raced for three weeks, Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green said he felt right up to the mark when he drove the horse on Saturday.
In company with Simply Sam, the dual New Zealand Trotting Cup winner worked over a steady 2400 metres in 3:12, asked to sprint only over the final 400 in 27.4.
“The track was pretty bad but he felt pretty good and pulled up well,” Green said..
“He’ll go again tomorrow. We’ll work over a mile in 2:10, nothing exciting. He doesn’t need any more.”
Copy That hasn’t raced since finishing runner-up to Self Assured in the Messenger on April 28, timed to run home in 53.7 and 26.8.
Meanwhile, new stablemate The Big Lebowski has been confirmed a cup runner with Tony Herlihy to do the steering.
“There aren’t many big race drivers better than Tony,” Green said.
The Big Lebowski created a huge impression in his first start at Alexandra Park last Friday, skying away to an 11-length win for driver Blair Orange who, not surprisingly, sticks with Copy That.
The all powerful Mark and Nathan Purdon stable will also have two runners with Akuta, scratched last week with a foot abscess, joining Self Assured behind the tapes.
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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.”
