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
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
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.”
