Copy That (Nathan Jack) is in great nick for Saturday night at Melton.
Ray tipping Copy That as a big improver - and you can get $9 now for the New Zealand Cup
By Barry Lichter • 15 September 2022
Sectional times which Copy That ran when beaten last week only serve to boost trainer Ray Green’s confidence that his charge will bounce back at Melton on Saturday night.
Green was so pleased with how Copy That recovered after the Caduceus Classic that he is backing up the horse in the A$24,000 Gammalite Free-for-all (mobile 2240m), where he will clash with big guns Lochinvar Art and Bondi Lockdown.
But while Green has respect for that pair, he is confident Copy That will be more than competitive this time and bely his dramatic drift from $5.50 to $9 in the futures market for the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the horse,” Green said. “It wasn’t surprising he got rolled given how short he was on racing fitness and how he was used so hard early.”
Copy That was timed to run his first 200 metres in 12.53 seconds and first 400 in 26.61. His opening 800 metre time of 56.19 was even more impressive when detailed measurements showed he actually covered 812 metres, three wide to the death then the front.
Copy That’s top speed was registered at 63.19 km/hour and, despite being eased down by driver Nathan Jack when obviously beaten, he still clocked 1:53.1 for his last mile.
“It was only his second race in nine months and he was just short of a run. When you analyse it, his two workouts and trial back home were all soft - they only roared up the straight - and even in the race at Auckland they didn’t go that quick overall. It just didn’t fit him for a 1:50 mile.
“I don’t like seeing him get beaten - his detractors like it too much - but I’m confident he’ll go better on Saturday night.
“I see it as a plus that he’s drawn the second row. It keeps him out of an early burn and he’s just as effective from off the pace.
“There are a couple of other nice ones in there, Lochinvar Art is a a serious Grand Circuit horse. Obviously they’ve been having problems with him but if they’ve got him back we’re all in trouble.”
Lochinvar Art has been out of the winners’ circle in five starts since taking the Hunter Cup in February and even next fancy Bondi Lockdown has had issues since his huge second in the Chariots Of Fire when he sat parked on a 1:47.6 clip.
Green said you could also not count out promoted Interdominion winner Boncel Benjamin though he has been winless in eight starts since the December final.
“But Copy That is a topline horse and he’s in great nick so I’m expecting a big run.”
Copy That races at 10.40pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Sugar Ray Lincoln and Kevin Kline in fighting form for Friday night at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
5.33pm
“He hasn’t raced for more than four months but he’s trotting well in training and has had a couple of workouts. He steps well so if Fergie can keep him away from the others, and he slides on from the 20 metre mark, he could even lead, and that would make him the one to beat. It doesn’t take much for him to lose concentration though.”
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
6.23pm
“He hasn’t raced for a while but should go well. He finished off his workout really well on a 26.9 quarter for a close fourth behind some good ones (Greased Lightnin, Beetastic and Diamonds Are Forever). He beat himself in his last few runs by racing too keenly but he’s capable enough.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.30pm
“She went to the line under a hold last week. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that. She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home. Joyride looks the one to beat.”
Race 3: Tyson
6.23pm
“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week. He never got the chance to get out. From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.52pm
“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.52pm
“Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray. He closed fast from the back last Friday and is better suited over 2200 metres this week.”
