Copy That is holding One Change at the finish of tonight’s Derby Prelude at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Leifting/Race Images
Ray: Copy That knows he’s good now and he’ll eat up the derby distance next week
By Barry Lichter • 28 February 2020
Don’t be fooled into thinking that Copy That will be vulnerable over the longer distance of next week’s Northern Derby just because One Change was making big inroads into his lead at Auckland tonight.
Driver David Butcher was sitting very quietly in the cart behind Copy That up the home straight, one quiet tap the only encouragement the colt needed to maintain a one length margin at the end of the fast-run 2200 metres.
Moments after Copy That won the Derby Prelude in a sizzling 2:37.3, without his plugs being pulled, trainer Ray Green noted the horse had a habit of buttoning off when he had the job done.
“If David had given him a smack on the arse I think he would have cleared right out,” said Green. “He’s not only got high speed but a big engine as well - he can carry that speed a long way - and 2700 metres shouldn’t worry him at all next week.”
Green said Copy That was a very laid back individual at home but “puffed himself up” when he got to the races.
“He’s turned the corner and is starting to know he’s good.”
Butcher also reported Copy That had woken up to how good he is, tonight’s win his seventh in all and third from his last four starts, each time beating the All Stars’ One Change.
“When they’re winning all the time they start believing and he knows. That first race woke him up.
“We were really going quick early tonight, he had to do a little bit to get round them, then he was attacked (by Flying Even Bettor) in front.
“But he’s got real speed.”
Copy That’s time was faster than the New Zealand three-year-old record of 2:37.6 set by Have Faith In Me in December, 2014, a time since eclipsed by Ultimate Machete, who paced 2:36.1 in 2016.
It represented a mile rate of 1:55.1 and with closing sectionals of 56.2 and 27.9, the first two horses home skied away to a four and a half length margin over third-placed dead-heaters Tommy Lincoln and Flying Even Bettor.
Lincoln Farms’ Man Of Action also cemented his place in the $200,000 Woodlands Derby next Friday night by running fifth, clocking 2:39.
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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.”
