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 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
