Four X-rays taken over the last eight weeks show excellent healing. In the second X-ray a callus of new bone starts forming at the edge of the fracture and in the latest, the fracture lines are less visible, indicating more advanced healing.
X-rays reveal Copy That’s fracture continues to heal well and he’s started walking rehab
By Barry Lichter • 4 March 2022
X-rays show Copy That is making an excellent recovery from injury but trainer Ray Green says he won’t be ready in time to contest the Queensland winter carnival in July.
Instead, Green and owner Merv Butterworth will focus on a campaign aimed at defending his New Zealand Trotting Cup crown in November.
Copy That has been at Laura Dixon’s Dowling View rehabilitation centre near Ballarat in Victoria since fracturing a splint bone in his off hind leg last December and a fourth round of X-rays have revealed what Green calls “spectacular” healing.
While the fracture lines have not completely disappeared in the X-rays, Ballarat Veterinary Practice’s Dr Brian Anderson reported further good progress in the month since his previous X-ray.
“There is a hard bony callus but it does not appear to overly compress the suspensory ligament and this was confirmed with ultrasound.
“We are on track to achieve our goal of full healing of the fracture without the formation of an excessive bony lump which could interfere with the suspensory ligament and result in persistent pain and lameness.”
When examined, Copy That was “full of himself” and not lame in either a straight line or circle trot.
And he has now started the first stage of his rehab - walking on a treadmill.
Anderson prescribed walking for five minutes twice daily for the first week, followed by a week of 10 minutes twice daily then 15 minutes twice daily for two weeks.
Anderson said he anticipated Copy That would be fit to fly back to New Zealand towards the end of April.
“If there has been complete healing, he may then be able to go back into work.”
Green, who arrived home on Wednesday after two months stuck in Australia because of a lack of MIQ space, had hoped Copy That would be able to return to work a month earlier so he had time to get fit for Brisbane where he raced so well last July.
“I thought he’d be good to go by the end of this month but the Ballarat vet said maybe give him another month after that.
“The New Zealand Cup becomes the obvious target now and he’ll have plenty of time for a couple of lead-up races. After that, the sky’s the limit.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
