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.
More news in Harness
Leo takes the lion’s share to cap terrific Manawatu season - and Ray gets a piece too
Nate looking for more Fergy magic to cap successful two months at Manawatu
Cloud over Angelic Copy again - bug threatens to force her out on Friday night at Auckland
Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
