Copy That is out of Friday’s Holmes DG at Auckland and his New Zealand Cup tilt is in serious doubt.
Vets investigating Copy That’s lameness and Merv’s Sharp ‘N’ Smart in the wars too
By Barry Lichter • 3 October 2023
Copy That’s tilt at winning a third New Zealand Cup is over with the horse lame and withdrawn from Friday’s Holmes D G at Auckland.
And in a double blow for Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth, the Victorian campaign for Horse of the Year Sharp ’N’ Smart is also over as he has a viral infection.
Butterworth said trainer Ray Green felt something wasn’t right with Copy That last Friday and, while the soreness had since been isolated to his off foreleg, vets were still working to determine the exact injury.
“Until we know more there’s not a lot that we can say,” said Butterworth who said he had learned over the years to be accepting of such setbacks.
TAB bookies this afternoon suspended betting on the the $650,000 IRT New Zealand Cup, for which Copy That had been a clear third favourite.
Though Copy That had been beaten in two races so far this campaign, trainer but Ray Green reported he was deliberately “porky” as he was peaking for the November 12 feature at Addington.
The setback continues the rollercoaster ride Copy That has taken Merv and Meg Butterworth and Green on in recent years. A fractured splint bone saw him sidelined in December, 2021 but he recovered to win the cup for a second time and take his bankroll to more than $2 million.
Like Copy That, Sharp ’N’ Smart had been among the favourites for big spring races until he was an inexplicable failure in last Saturday’s Arrowfield at Hastings.
Trainer Graeme Rogerson had set the horse for the Melbourne Cup with lead-up races in either the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate.
More news in Harness
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Sharpe Stride, Marylynes Boy, Omaha Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Colonel Lincoln, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Leo Lincoln, Prince Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates 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.”
