Sizzling sectional times tell the real story about Copy That’s Spring Cup performance
By Barry Lichter • 22 September 2023
Copy That might not have won tonight’s Spring Cup but you only have to clock his run to realise he was hardly disappointing.
In finishing third to Fernleigh Cash and Simply Sam, the dual New Zealand Cup winner recorded a sizzling 2:41.2 for the standing 2200 metres, the second fastest time in the race’s 28-year history.
And considering when driver Maurice McKendry turned the horse round just before the starter said go he was more like 30 metres behind the front line, not his carded 20 metre handicap, he probably went even faster than Mach Shard who set the race record of 2:40.8 in 2020.
Copy That’s time was also 3.5 seconds faster than the 2:44.7 he took in winning the Spring Cup in 2021 and half a second quicker than Kango’s winning time last year.
And it was just 1.5 seconds slower than the New Zealand record set by Star Galleria in 2018.
Copy That was privately timed to run his half in 54.5, a terrific effort considering when he got to the 800 metre peg he had just been shunted three wide by David Butcher on Hooray Henry and was being forcibly restrained to the rear.
Andy Sharpe, right, and Ollie Gregory attend to Copy That after his Spring Cup run.And while Fernleigh Cash was carving out his final 800 in 54.9 and 400 in 27.8 on the marker pegs in front, Copy That was last and four wide round the home turn but still flashing his final split in 27 flat.
McKendry said when Copy That came out in the run home “he really swished up to them but just flattened out the last bit” ending up two and a quarter lengths and half a neck from the winner.
“We were working that first round so he hasn’t gone bad. That will tidy him up a bit more.”
Trainer Ray Green described it as a typically game performance from Copy That, considering he had to do a bit in the running and was twice pushed wide.
“David was entitled to do what he did and Maurice didn’t think that cost him too much. I was happy with the run - he never misses a cheque.”
Green said the $25,000 Holmes DG (2700m) at Auckland in two weeks remained Copy That’s preferred next start but he wouldn’t hesitate to saddle up and take the horse south at the first sign that the race might not go ahead.
Green was delighted with the improved showing from Simply Sam to get the runners-up cheque of $3875.
Drive Andre Poutama rued the fact Brookies Jaffa had made such a smart beginning to take the early lead as it meant, while Sam enjoyed the early trail, he ended up three back when Fernleigh Cash took over down the back straight the first time.
“If I’d been able to trail I reckon I’d have won. He got home real good. I saved him for that one go.”
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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.”
