The race that convinced top driver Anthony Butt that Copy That had the all round game - coming from last to win the Wondai’s Mate in Brisbane, 2021. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Ants: Copy That has the right profile to join Who’s who list of Hunter Cup champions
By Barry Lichter • 2 February 2023
He’s driven more Hunter Cup winners than anyone else so you have to listen when Anthony Butt says Copy That fits the mould of previous champions of the race.
It takes a special horse to win harness racing’s equivalent of the Cox Plate, says Butt, and Lincoln Farms’ Copy That has all tools he needs to win Saturday night’s 74th running.
New Zealand-trained pacers have won 15 of the last 30 editions of Victoria’s summer showpiece, but the race has changed in recent years and got a lot harder to win, says Butt, one of New Zealand’s finest horsemen now based in Victoria.
“Kiwis had a great record in the race especially when it was a two mile stand. If you got in on the front, even if you weren’t the best horse, you could get home.
“Our horses came through New Zealand Cup preparations, had been racing in stands all spring, and were then pointed over here. Some of the best Australian horses would even miss the Hunter Cup if they weren’t good from a stand or were too far back in the handicap.
“But since the race became a mobile (in 2018) and the distance was cut to 2760 metres, the best of the best target the race, they all get away together, and it’s a lot harder to win.”
Some of harness racing’s greatest heroes already had their names engraved on the Hunter Cup when Butt started collecting trophies with the great mare Blossom Lady in 1994 and 1995.
Pin-ups like Village Kid, Preux Chevalier, Popular Alm, Gammalite, Koala King, Purse Steel (x3) and Royal Gaze had stamped the race as the ultimate prize.
1994 and 1995 Hunter Cup winner Blossom Lady with driver Anthony Butt and trainer Derek Jones.But one year after Master Musician started the roll for the Kiwis in 1993, Bloss showed her staying prowess.
“She was out and out tough and came from handicaps of 20 metres and 30 metres to win.”
Mister D G, who scored for Butt in 2004, was both tough and fast and, like his 2009 winner Mr Feelgood, enjoyed a perfect trip, “and was there at the top of the straight to be presented to win.
Mr Feelgood was “a great all-round horse” and began an unprecedented run in the race for Butt and his trainer brother Tim, who also scored with Stunin Cullen in 2011, Choise Achiever in 2012 and Mah Sish in 2013.
“Mah Sish had to be really tough to win. He found the front but got attacked the whole race and was out on his feet at the 400. But he was still tough enough to stall them all off. He also won the Ballarat Cup that year and finished second in the Interdom Final.”
On the other side of the coin Stunin Cullen won the Cup with his sheer speed.
“He was fabulously fast - one of the fastest I’ve driven over 200 metres - but he had to be held up. Both he and Choise Achiever got lucky - they got away fast, trailed the leader, and had the best runs. “It’s harder for sit-sprinters to win now - unless they draw well and sit behind the leader - because so many horses can make their own luck, get into it and rough it.
“The field is so strong most can sprint and stay. Nine times out of 10 the best horse will win but Melton is one of those tracks where barrier draws are still crucial.”
Butt believes six is a good alley for Copy That on Saturday night, better than if he’d drawn the inside, from where driver Blair Orange would have been at risk of being crossed and starved for room.
“He’ll be out of trouble, he can balance up, let the ones inside him sort themselves out, then go for the front if he wants it.”
Butt says while Copy That wouldn’t want to spend too many tickets early, and leave himself an easy target, there’s no question he can win.
“He’s an outstanding horse. Any horse that can win two New Zealand Cups is pretty special.
“He’s got the all round game. He’s good enough to go to the front but equally as good coming off a helmet.”
Butt discovered that first-hand when he drove a brilliantly timed race on Copy That to win the Wondai’s Mate in Brisbane in July, 2021.
“He sat four fence and was nearly last turning for home. Horses just don’t do what he did that night.”
Butt says while Copy That stands out on Saturday, there are a host of chances right behind him.
“Hardly anything would surprise you if they won. At this level all the horses are so good. There’s not much between first and last.
“My drive Rock N Roll Doo is a very good horse but he has to do things right. He’s a big chance if he relaxes but if he over-races, like he has in his last two starts, we’re in trouble.”
Copy That races at 11.07pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
