Copy That, inner, leads Alta Wiseguy just short of the post at Auckland last Saturday night.
Surprise bonus run by Copy That a real drawcard for Cambridge on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 3 January 2023
Copy That fans will get to enjoy a surprise bonus run from the little champ at Cambridge on Saturday night.
Trainer Ray Green has entered the dual New Zealand Cup winner for the $25,000 Cliff Thomas Memorial (mobile 1700m), which has attracted just six nominations.
The Waikato-Bay Of Plenty Club has extended nominations for all its races until Wednesday morning but Green says there’s no indication the race won’t be held.
“I put him in when I saw the nominations were the same ones he’s been racing, plus Old Town Road.
“The race is ideally timed before his trip - he’s due to fly out four days later on the Wednesday and it will be two weeks until his first run in Victoria. If he didn’t race he’d have to trial, and he’d probably have nothing to run against. And it makes sense to run for $25,000 than trial for nothing.”
Green says Copy That appears to have pulled up very well from his hard race last Saturday evening when he had to work overtime to catch the field and was pipped only in the very last stride by Alta Wiseguy in a finish that had the crowd on its feet and everyone guessing.
“I thought his run was exceptional. Nothing else in the field could have done what he did.
“He seems to have come through the race fine and running again over a mile (1700 metres) won’t kill him, so why not? They’ll all be on the front but he’ll draw the outside.”
Under the preferential barrier system, if no more horses enter, Old Town Road, comparatively lightly rated at R85 will start from two, Alta Wiseguy from four and Copy That from six.
Old Town Road hasn’t raced for two months, when he ran an outstanding third in the New Zealand Free-for-all, beaten two half heads by Self Assured and Majestic Cruiser. He has not been to a workout or trial since.
Blair Orange will continue his association with Copy That at Cambridge and will stay with the champ when he has his first Australian run in the A$150,000 Ballarat Cup (2710m) on January 21.
Six horses have been nominated for the Cliff Thomas Memorial on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Sugar Ray finally finds his mojo, outpunching Tyson, but Ray’s still guarded about the future
Smart workout shows Prince Lincoln’s ready to test the Blue Army at Auckland on Friday
On paper, Akuta looks home but Kevin Kline’s such a warrior he could get some of it
Improving Johnny Lincoln prevails in thrilling finish and takes aim at Sires’ Stakes
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
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.”
