The making of a Cup winner - how Copy That nearly sent Ray around the bend

If you knew what trainer Ray Green went through turning Copy That into a racehorse, you’d understand why all hell broke loose at Lincoln Farms when he ran away with Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.

First there were the screams as the entire stable staff cheered him home, then the champagne flowed as freely as Green’s emotions.

But it wasn’t until well into the night, long after the TV cameras had gone, that the ‘remember when’ stories started about Copy That’s remarkable transformation.

“I hated him at times in those early days,” Green said. “He was so frustrating I could have cut his head off.”

December 18, 2018. The first story about Copy That on www.lincolnfarms.co.nz after his first trial.December 22, 2018, after his second trialMay 4, 2019May 19, 2019May 23, 2019June 8, 2019. Copy That, form line 55657, wins his first race at Alexandra Park.It didn’t matter whether it was before or after running in his early workouts, Copy That proved a “challenge.”

If he wasn’t escaping his bridle and running off down the farm, sparking a chase by all and sundry, he’d be walking round his box, scraping against the wall, attempting to rip off some new piece of head gear Green was trying.

And out on the track “he’d jump out of his gear for no apparent reason” at exactly the same spot on the track each time.

Green got an early hint of what was to come the day his wife Debbie bought the American Ideal colt for $7000 at a Karaka weanling sale.

“We went back to his box after the bidding and found he’d been barricaded in. If you opened the door six inches he’d try to get out. That’s probably why we got him so cheaply.

“And when he got back to Lincoln Farms he jumped a couple of gates.”

The fun and games went on for months.

“But he always had sharp speed, a glimpse of brilliance, so we put up with him. You knew it was there, you just had to wait for it.”

Green modestly declares he did nothing special - “He would have excelled in any stable eventually,” he said.

“It was just immaturity. He’s actually a very smart horse. He still does that trick getting out of his bridle. If you leave him, he’ll be gone in a heartbeat.

“There’s nothing sinister or nasty about it. He doesn’t go far, he probably wants to go and say hello to someone, he’s a very social sort.”

Copy That might have tested everyone but Green says he was never a nasty colt who needed gelding.

“He screams and shrieks before a race, and puffs himself up, but at home he’s like an old boot, and you wouldn’t know he’s a colt. I can lead other horses off him.

“We’ve had some challenges with him for sure but the raw ability was always there. It was just a matter of harnessing it.

“That’s the beautiful thing about this game. You never know what’s around the corner and what you’ve got on your hands.”

Green is hoping Copy That’s big win helps inspire the youngsters who work for Lincoln Farms to pursue buying young horses themselves.

“You don’t have to pay a lot of money for them. We’ve proved that with Hard Copy (a $4000 weanling who went on to win $1.27 million) and Copy That.

“Rather than buying old horses, who are like second hand cars, they should be going to the sales and buying weanlings or yearlings. I think they’re starting to see that.”

Ray Green … “what’s all the fuss about my age.”Green says he can’t understand why such a fuss has been made of winning the cup at his age.

‘I’m 76 going on 45. There’s no substitute for experience but I don’t need accolades at my age.

“I picked up a bit of money today (the trainer’s cut was $33,000) but that’s an after thought. I just wish it had come 40 years ago when I needed it.

“Forty years ago I was driving in races in England. I was a good driver, one of the top ones, and would go to the races, drive six or eight horses, get some money and go to the pub and have a good time.”

Green was surprised at how emotional he got when being interviewed by Trackside after the cup.

“I was quite moved by the whole thing and, yes, I lost the plot a bit and had a good cry.

“Not many people get a cup runner let alone win one. I’ve got over 100 text messages I haven’t been able to answer yet and as many calls and missed calls.

“The horse has been a big part of our lives and it was a huge relief for me. I’d been talking him up, all gung ho about his chances, and you don’t like to end up with egg on your face.

“The win vindicated my faith in the horse and the preparation he had for the race. All the old traditionalists have been brought to heel.”