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Trainer Ray Green reports to Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth after tonight’s City Of Auckland Free-for-all.

Ray’s got the Grins after Copy That’s clinical win sees odds slashed for $1 million slot race

TAB bookies slashed Copy That’s odds for the $1 million slot race from $6 to $4.20 after his no fuss win in tonight’s $45,000 City Of Auckland Free-for-all.

But, despite the ease of his win, and a glowing report from leading driver Blair Orange, the betting picture for The Race By Grins got even murkier, with only 50 cents now separating the top four favourites.

Akuta’s late charge from last into fifth saw him promoted to $4 favourite, Old Town Road’s strong fourth earned him a $4.50 tag, on the same line as Self Assured who locked wheels with Alta Wiseguy turning for home and galloped.

Early Grins favourite B D Joe, who did not line up tonight, slips back to fifth fancy at $6.50, with Australian Better Eclipse on $13 and Nicholas Cage, last tonight after sitting parked, on $17.

Copy That has Kango well covered at the finish.Copy That has Kango well covered at the finish.As good as Copy That was tonight, untested to score by one and a quarter lengths, trainer Ray Green admitted “draws will be everything” come April 14.

“If we lob the same draw we’ll be laughing our heads off. If we get a bad draw, we’ll be up against it.”

But Green said he couldn’t be happier with Copy That who clocked a slick 2:39.7, six-tenths of a second faster than in his win in the race two years ago. His mile rate for the 2200 metres equated to 1:56.8, and he was able to dawdle over his last 800 in 57.1 and 400 in 27.8.

“It was a nice comfortable win against the best horses in the country,” Green said. “They were never going to beat him once he found the top.”

Expected to lead off the gate, Orange didn’t panic when David Butcher sooled Kango ahead of him into the first turn.

As soon as they lined up for the run down the back straight though he was off and around Kango.

“I wanted to drive him positively and he got the lead pretty comfortably,” Orange said.

“I waited until the sprint lane then really stepped it up.”

Blair Orange brings Copy That back to scale after his 32nd winBlair Orange brings Copy That back to scale after his 32nd winWhen Orange kicked out the ear plugs 130 metres from home, Copy That already had the race under control, easily holding Kango and Smiffy’s Terror.

“It wasn’t too hard a run for him,” said Orange who believed Copy That had plenty left in the tank.

But it was Orange’s next statement that had Green really buzzing: “He felt like he does when he’s right.”

And when Green’s phone buzzed, Green re-iterated to Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth just how much of a class act the horse was.

“He’s a beautifully balanced runner. That was just clinical.

“You guys must be getting sick of this,” said Green of the horse’s 32nd win from just 61 starts.

Just whether Copy That races again before the Grins is undecided.

“We could run in the Waikato Flying Mile eight days before the slot race, but that’s only an option at this stage.”

Green said it would depend on how Copy That came through tonight’s race and progressed in the next 10 days. Running round for $45,000 was an attractive option though when the alternative was a spin at the trials for no money.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

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 Green

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.”

Race Images - Harness