Copy That has South Coast Arden well covered at the finish of the Holmes DG. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
The call that put a smile on Ray’s face - long before Copy That’s dominant Holmes DG win
By Barry Lichter • 10 October 2020
Copy That’s Holmes DG triumph at Auckland showed punters he was right on track for the New Zealand Trotting Cup - but it was a phone call several hours before the race that pleased trainer Ray Green the most.
Green had been almost resigned to missing a key lead-up race at Ashburton on October 26 because the only flight south was scheduled for November 4 and he didn’t want to subject the horse to a gruelling two-day road trip.
But when cup sponsor IRT called Green to tell him a flight was now on for October 22 it made his job of preparing the horse for the $540,000 feature that much easier.
“The timing of the new flight is just perfect. It’s at mid-day, which means he can jog that morning and be in his new stable by 3pm.
“And he can now run in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and possibly the cup trial (November 4) if he needs another hitout.”
Copy That, who has slipped out to a $4.60 third favourite for the November 10 cup, was right back to his dominant best at Alexandra Park on Friday night, the win never in doubt after he looped the field to lead with just under a lap to run.
The little powerhouse sprinted clear early in the run home and at the post had a neck margin on South Coast Arden whose driver Brent Mangos had trouble activating the plugs in the run home.
Green knows the knockers will claim he should have beaten a four-win horse more easily. And he can just hear them questioning how Copy That will cope with a tough 3200 metres when he was tiring at the finish of 2700 metres just a month out?
“Yes he was getting a bit tired but I expected that. He hasn’t had to run 2700 metres for quite a long time and he’s still a bit porky.
“I can guarantee he’s not on top of his game yet - he blew up a bit after the run. When he went down to Christchurch for the Derby last year he was quite light.
Maurice McKendry brings Copy That back. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.“I can’t see how anyone could be critical of the run - he had to do a bit of work from 30 metres and he’s gone 3:18.”
Copy That’s 3:18.3 was 1.1 seconds slower than Triple Eight’s winning time last year but still represented a nippy mile rate of 1:58.1 and saw the closing splits run in 56 and 27.2. But Copy That was timed to run his last mile in a very slick 1:54.3.
Driver Maurice McKendry reported Copy That paced much more freely than when pipped in the Spring Cup at his previous start, an issue subsequently rectified by routine vet work.
“Maurice said he was a bit shaky round the first corner but after he gave him a slap on the arse he was good.
“I was toying with the idea of putting his pole back on but we tried him in a rein burr instead and that seems to have done the job.
“I’m sure he’ll be even better next time but it’s hard to weigh up the northern and southern form. We’ll find out soon enough.”
Green and owner Merv Butterworth have resolved to concentrate on the cup and won’t be asking Copy That to race again three days later in the $180,000 Free-for-all (1980m) on Show day.
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Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
