Progressive X-rays of Copy That’s injury show excellent healing of the splint bone. PHOTO: Ballarat Veterinary Clinic.
The champ’s back home, with a clean bill of health, crowing to everyone who will listen
By Barry Lichter • 5 May 2022
Star pacer Copy That is home - and crowing like a rooster letting everyone know it too.
The New Zealand Cup winner arrived back on a flight from Melbourne this morning, with an A1 report from top vet Brian Anderson and the go-ahead to resume work.
After four and a half months of being couped up in a box, trainer Ray Green says the horse seems very happy to be back at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe.
“He’s put on a lot of weight and looks really good. I jogged him this morning and he was keen to get on with it.”
It will be a week or two before Copy That will really be able to stretch his legs, though, Anderson recommending the horse be initially restricted to a small yard.
Copy That will be confined to a small yard for a week or two to prevent him from hooning around. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Owner Merv Butterworth agrees that allowing Copy That to “gallop around a big paddock like Phar Lap” might undo all the hard work at Laura Dixon’s Dowling View equine rehabilitation.
The horse was sent there after a paddock accident in late December when it was discovered he had a hairline fracture of a hind splint bone, ending his Victorian summer campaign after only one start.
“After he has had a bit of work and let everyone know ‘the boss is back’, he can be placed in a larger yard,” Butterworth said.
The latest X-rays of Copy That’s off hind leg give Butterworth great comfort that Copy That will be able to return to his brilliant best.
The fracture lines are only just visible and, crucially, the bony callus - caused by the progressive formation of new healing bone - has not enlarged on two months ago and is not painful.
When examined at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice on April 28, Copy That was not lame behind in a straight line trot or in a circle.
While slightly sore in both front feet at the trot that was likely due to being in a yard with coarse sand for the last month.
The best part of Anderson’s report for Butterworth was the sentence: ’The prognosis for a return to racing is very good.’
Copy That will defend his New Zealand Cup crown in November. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.Green said Copy That would jog for the next month before another X-ray and a return to full race work.
“I’m happy to have him back, he’s our flagship,” Green said.
“It’s onwards and upwards now and the New Zealand Cup will be our main mission.”
Copy That, who smashed his rivals in the New Zealand Cup last season, enjoyed a stellar four-year-old year, winning 15 of his 25 races and $777,098.
His career record stands at 24 wins and 11 placings from 45 starts and a bankroll of $964,297.
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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.”
