Six will do us just fine, says Ray of Copy That’s Hunter Cup draw for Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 31 January 2023
Copy That should get his chance in Saturday night’s A$500,000 A G Hunter Cup at Melton after drawing barrier six, says trainer Ray Green.
“That’s pretty good, he’ll be able to make his own luck from out there,” said Green.
“It could have been a lot worse, like on the second row, where you’re at the mercy of the others.”
Green said with five runners inside him, Copy That should be able to stay out of trouble in the 2760 metre summer feature.
“He won’t get crossed in a hurry and, though there’s a bit of speed inside him, I’m not worried at all about that draw.”
Green rated Honolua Bay one of the hardest to beat after the Emma Stewart-trained runner drew four on the gate. Honolua Bay rushed home from well back for fourth behind Copy That in the Ballarat Cup at his last start after drawing the outside.
Fellow Kiwi Old Town Road again fared badly, widest on the second row, seeing him soften to the sixth line of betting at $12.
Copy That retained favouritism at $2.60 in the first Australian market, with pole runner Spirit Of St Louis promoted to second favourite at $4.20.
Hurricane Harley, drawn to trail Spirit Of St Louis from the inside of the second row, is third fancy at $7 along with Expensive Ego, alongside him.
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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.”
