The reins are tight as Copy That cruises home one tenth of a second outside the track record. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Blair rapt in Copy That’s near record run and it made the trip in worthwhile for Ray too
By Barry Lichter • 9 December 2022
Copy That was so good tonight, leading driver Blair Orange can’t wait to return to Auckland next week to pilot him in the $50,000 Thames Summer Cup.
Orange described Copy That’s win in the mobile mile as exceptional considering he was only a fraction of a second outside the track record and was never under pressure to score by four lengths over Steel The Show and Hot And Treacherous.
“Clocking 1:52.3 was a very good run on that track which was a bit sticky,” Orange said.
Copy That’s time was just one tenth of a second outside the record set by Spankem in April’s Taylor Mile, when in a head, half a neck and head thriller he downed Hot And Treacherous, Self Assured and Cranbourne.
Copy That had nothing like that to push him tonight and Orange sat still in the run to the line, a startling trouncing given the torrid run he endured early in the race.
Watching the race from his car, trainer Ray Green, just a couple of hours out of hospital, thought Copy That was in big trouble when trapped three wide round the first two turns.
Green had not intended going to the races but he and his wife Debbie decided to drive in to Alexandra Park when the motorway traffic looked heavier heading south.
Ray Green and his wife Debbie with Frankie Major while the vet checks his heart rate after he fibrillated during his race.Copy That’s early predicament was about par for the night after Green watched first Lincoln River pipped a head, Frankie Major drop out of the trail after fibrillating and Trinity Star run a long last, exhibiting early signs of a respiratory infection afterwards.
Copy That’s supporters might have been sweating but Orange never flinched.
“I just sat there until they sorted themselves out then I asked him to go.”
Copy That found the breeze with a lap to run and he had no trouble wresting the lead from Hot And Treacherous soon afterwards.
“I knew Maurice had done enough and my bloke got the front under his own steam. He gave me a great feel all the way and when I gave him a wee flap with the rein on the corner I knew he was going to finish like I know he can.”
Orange said he knew they’d run hard early but he was not aware just how fast the winning time was for the race. The horse whistled home in 55.9 and 27.9.
Ray Green catches up with his champ Copy That for a pre-race pep talk.Merv incredulous
Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth described Copy That’s performance as incredible.
“One month ago he won a two mile race, going 4.8 seconds faster than the previous year and now he’s won a mile race, running a fraction of a second outside the track record.
Butterworth praised Green for his arms length supervision of Copy That’s preparation and the work put in by stable foreman Andrew Drake.
“They can’t beat Copy That when the trainer’s been in hospital so how will they beat him in his next two starts?
Orange has confirmed he will drive Copy That in both next week’s Thames Cup (2200m) and the $50,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup (2700m) on New Year’s Eve, both races with a maximum back mark of 30 metres.
After that, Copy That is likely to cross the Tasman again to contest the A$150,000 Ballarat Cup (2710m) on January 21 then the A$500,000 A G Hunter Cup (2760m) at Melton on February 4.
Tonight’s win was the 29th of Copy That’s 55-start career and took his bankroll to $1,367,151.
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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.
