Debbie Green wth Copy That after his win in The Race by Grins at Cambridge.
X-rays continue on Copy That’s knee injury and MRI scan in Canterbury a possibility
By Barry Lichter • 4 October 2023
Copy That might have to fly to the South Island for further investigation if X-rays fail to reveal the exact nature of his knee injury.
Vets in Matamata continue to X-ray Copy That today and trainer Ray Green is hoping to have an answer this afternoon.
“It’s a bone in the knee but whether it’s a stress fracture or an actual fracture we don’t know yet.
“If they can’t find it, the other option is to get an MRI scan.”
Only two equine MRI scanners operate in New Zealand and Green says the Massey machine is booked out for months in advance.
“We can get into the Rangiora clinic and even with the air fare that would be cheaper as Massey is horrendously expensive.
“But we’ve got the best professionals on the job - Kara Watson here and Barbara Hunter at Matamata Veterinary Services are doing a tremendous job and hopefully we’ll know more this afternoon. They’ve taken a lot of X-rays - I’d hate to be getting the bill.”
Green said until the precise nature of the injury is known it’s impossible to speculate on Copy That’s future. But the inquiry by one breeder this morning wanting to send his mare to the horse was premature.
“A bone in the knee is compromised. It may require surgery to be screwed, but at the moment we’re still in the dark.
“Once we know, we can start a programme to bring him back. The best case scenario is he could be back in four months with rehab on a water walker.”
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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.”
