X-rays show the champ Copy That 100% - New Zealand Cup here we come!
By Barry Lichter • 30 June 2022
X-rays this week have shown Copy That to be 100% recovered from his leg injury and it’s all systems go for a defence of the New Zealand Cup in November.
The way Copy That has been working, Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green hardly needed any reassurance that his flagship horse is back.
But even Green was blown away at the perfect picture of his hind leg, healing calluses on the fractured splint bone no longer visible.
Green said even Lincoln Farms’ vet Lindsay Colwell couldn’t tell now which leg had been injured.
This week’s X-ray.Owner Merv Butterworth greeted the news with great joy, noting it came virtually six months to the day since he lashed out at a fence in his paddock at Romsey in Victoria where he was based for a summer campaign.
Butterworth is looking forward to having his champ back on the racetrack, his earnings closing in on $1 million, and is pleased he has a bit more than four months to prepare for the cup on November 8.
Green expects Copy That to be trialling by the start of August.
“He’s been back in work coming up eight weeks and is looking super now. I’m really pleased with him.’’
Copy That returned home a little porky on May 5 after four and a half months in confinement at Laura Dixon’s Dowling View equine rehabilitation centre.
“But he’s in good nick now. He’s doing a bit of hoppled pacework, a quiet 2400 once or twice a week, and jogging every other day.
“He’s well on target for the New Zealand Cup, unless he has a setback.”
Copy That’s career record stands at 24 wins and 11 placings from 45 starts and a bankroll of $964,297.
He enjoyed a stellar four-year-old year, smashed his rivals in the New Zealand Cup and won 15 of his 25 races and $777,098.
Progressive X-rays of Copy That’s injury show excellent healing of the splint bone. PHOTO: Ballarat Veterinary Clinic.
More news in Harness
Sugar Ray finally finds his mojo, outpunching Tyson, but Ray’s still guarded about the future
Smart workout shows Prince Lincoln’s ready to test the Blue Army at Auckland on Friday
On paper, Akuta looks home but Kevin Kline’s such a warrior he could get some of it
Improving Johnny Lincoln prevails in thrilling finish and takes aim at Sires’ Stakes
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.”
