Copy That romps clear at Alexandra Park with driver Maurice McKendry sitting still. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Ray: He’s becoming one of those serious horses that people will talk about for years to come
By Barry Lichter • 4 September 2020
If you thought Copy That was impressive in running just a second outside the New Zealand record at Auckland on Thursday night, wait ’til you hear what his driver Maurice McKendry had to say.
“He was just jogging,” McKendry told Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green. “And if I’d flicked him on the bum he’d had cleared out and put another four or five lengths on them.”
As it was, Copy That had a two and a half length margin on his rivals at the finish of the 2200 metres, run in a dazzling 2:36.4.
Compare that to Ultimate Sniper’s New Zealand record of 2:35.4, and the 2:36.1 clocked by Ultimate Machete and Dalton Bromac.
“Copy That ran it ridiculously easily while those others were on their knees doing it.”
Green said Copy That was setting the bar higher with every race.
“He’s making his own way now. He’s becoming one of those serious horses that people will talk about for years to come.
“I just hope we can keep him nice until the cup.”
Ray Green … Copy That is setting the bar higher with every race.Green says Copy That won’t race again until the $22,500 Spring Cup at Auckland on September 25.
Whether or not he’ll still be in the north for the $22,500 Holmes D G two weeks later remains to be decided.
Two runs earmarked in the south for the lead-up to the $540,000 New Zealand Cup are the $50,000 Ashburton Flying Sakes on Monday, October 26 and the traditional pre cup trial at Addington on November 4.
Green hopes that after the Auckland Cup in March Copy That will get his chance to show his wares in Australia, COVID-19 permitting.
The way Copy That coped with some serious attention in the lead on Thursday night suggests he will be well up to anything that Australia has to offer.
Forced to hum out of the gate to fend off an early challenge by Mach Shard, Copy That eventually relented down the back straight, the lead time of 39.4 one of the fastest commentator Aaron White could remember.
McKendry was off again 1250 metres out, retaking the front, before being attacked by Triple Eight from the bell.
Copy That was travelling so strongly turning for home McKendry allowed himself two looks over the shoulder, before pulling the plugs and sprinting clear, never moving in the run to the judge.
The expected challenge from Belle Of Montana, who was poised in the one-one turning for home, never eventuated and it was left to outsider Check In to flash up late for second.
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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.”
