Only in Aussie - upstart roo tries to outrun Copy That in final fast work before Ballarat
By Barry Lichter • 23 December 2021
Copy That was almost as startled as trainer Ray Green when a roo raced him for 300 metres of his fast work yesterday.
Having his final strong hitout before Sunday’s Sokyola Sprint at Ballarat, Copy That didn’t know quite what to think of his surprise galloping pacemaker.
“When the kangaroo popped out in front of him, near the outside of the track, you could feel him thinking ‘what the hell is that’ and he pricked his ears and backed off a bit,” Green said.
“It was only a small kangaroo but man, could it go. We were bowling along a bit.
“It would have started out 10 metres in front of us but we were racing it down.”
It’s not the first time Green has seen a roo while working Copy That.
“When we were in Brisbane a really big one appeared but didn’t actually run onto the track. Apparently in Bendigo they have to chase 20 or 30 of them off the track before they work.”
Despite the interruption, Green said Copy That felt superb round the near 1000 metre training track at Romsey, which has a small hill in it.
While Green maintains Copy That just couldn’t cope with such a hard trip first-up at Cranbourne he says the theory that he might just need a few days to acclimatise also had some merit. The horse took a week to start thriving after his arrival in Brisbane in the early winter.
Green says it’s hard for driver Chris Svanosio to make a plan for Sunday given he has drawn three on the second row over the 1710 metres.
“He’ll just have to follow them out and see where he ends up then try to get home over the top of them.
“But I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t go a really good race the way he feels now.”
Green says Copy That will have no trouble round the left-handed Ballarat track which is 1000 metres with a 248 metre home straight.
Copy That races at 6.28pm NZ time at Ballarat on Sunday.
More news in Harness
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
