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
By Barry Lichter • 24 March 2023
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.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 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.
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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.”
