Ray brings Copy That home but his future is guarded - the next six weeks will be crucial
By Barry Lichter • 5 October 2023
Copy That has just arrived home at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe, his racing future guarded.
Only after the next six weeks will it become more apparent whether the dual IRT New Zealand Cup winner could race again, says trainer Ray Green.
But Matamata Veterinary Services’ Barbara Hunter has warned Green that not many horses come back from similar knee injuries.
X-rays pinponted the problem to two small carpal bones in Copy That’s off fore knee.
“If the fracture line opens up in the next few weeks and he doesn’t come sound it’s going to be very debatable whether he can come back as a racehorse.
“He has to be confined to his box for the next six weeks, with five minutes of hand walking a day and a pick of grass.
“We’ll X-ray him in a week to see if there are any changes and then again in another six weeks.
”It’s a crucial period. If he comes sound we can make a plan on what to do. If he’s still lame in six weeks it will throw a completely different light on things.”
The horse’s knee is a complex area of small bones and ligaments.Green said Hunter had told him knee injuries were not easy to handle, with as many as 10 small bones and ligaments all combining to form the three main joints.
“It’s a complex area with lots of little bones and at the moment we don’t know how to proceed. If we do a scan we might find other problems but that has inherent risk in itself.”
With the need for a general anesthetic, there was a risk of the horse doing irreparable damage when trying to stand while it was still un-coordinated.
Green said owner Merv Butterworth was consulting experts at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice, where Kiwi Brian Anderson oversaw Copy That’s last recovery from a fractured splint in his off hind leg.
“Apparently they have a standing scanner there.”
Green said only after six weeks would they know enough to make the best decision for the horse.
“He’s been a great little horse and I’d personally hate to see him come back and get bested by inferior animals. That would be a bad way to finish his racing career.
“You’ve got to remember he’s rising seven and he wouldn’t be coming back as a maiden, he has to come back at the highest level which makes it more difficult. You have to put more work and stress on his bones to get him back to where he was.
“He’s been a marvellous horse for everyone who had a hand on him and for me particularly. I got to drive him, even Lincoln Farms has benefitted, keeping its name in lights.
“But I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel at the moment.”
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
