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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.06pm
“He hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week. And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well. I expect him to go a lot better.”
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.06pm
“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart last week and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood. He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”
Race 2: The Rascal
5.46pm
“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult. The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 4: Kevin Kline
6.58pm
“He never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races. But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again. Mantra Blue is a good mare but she only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
6.58pm
“He steps well and Fergie showed last time he really knows how to drive him. If he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
8.46pm
“He’s as honest as they come but he’ll need a run or two to tighten him up. He hasn’t raced for a while and he’s a little fat guy.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time. He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”
