Copy That and Nathan Jack stroll home at Melton tonight.
Bring on the Victoria Cup, says excited trainer after Copy That smashes rivals at Melton
By Barry Lichter • 17 September 2022
Trainer Ray Green believes Copy That is clearly the one to beat in the A$300,000 Victoria Cup after he smashed his rivals at Melton tonight.
In a dominant display, the New Zealand Cup winner left the field standing on the home turn in the Gammalite Free-for-all, clearing out to win as he pleased at the lucrative odds of $4.
Expected challenges from the first two favourites never eventuated, Lochinvar Art galloping at the start before sitting parked and weakening to sixth and Bondi Lockdown fifth, showing no fight after leading, both runs queries by the stewards.
Lochinvar Art was scoped and it was discovered he suffered a grade four lung bleed. He was stood down for 28 days, ruling him out of the Victoria Cup.
Green said while he was excited at the ease of Copy That’s win, it was also a big relief.
“I didn’t really know where we stood after his last run but now I’m pretty confident we’re on target.
“He did that easy. We’ve just got to keep him healthy and happy now and we’ve got every chance of pulling the major race off.”
Green praised the drive of Nathan Jack who, from one on the second row, eased into the running line to follow Lochinvar Art round the field, securing the perfect one-one sit.
“We couldn’t have wished for a better trip than that. He’s the best horse over here but at this level you still need luck and we got it tonight.
“Nathan said he switched off halfway up the straight. But I warned him he might do that and he had to keep driving him.
Ray Green … “we’re lucky to have him.”“He rushes up to them and when he gets left in front he can switch off in a heartbeat. He’s nearly got himself beaten a couple of times like that.”
With Jack on to Copy That’s little quirk, the chasers never got close, runner-up Crime Writer and third-placed Bettor Be The Bomb no threat in the run to the judge.
Copy That cruised to the line to score by 3.6 metres in a 1:54.2 mile rate for the 2240 metres, the closing sectionals in 56.7 and a comfortable 29.2.
Jack was later reported as saying Copy That gave him the kind of feel which only really good horses do.
“I was lucky enough to drive Im Themightyquinn, but that was a different sort of feel. Quinny was just a fast horse, where this horse feels a lot stronger. He feels exceptionally good.”
Green said the prospect of having Copy That right back to his best was very exciting.
“He’s pulled up really well too. You wouldn’t know he’d been out there. He’s dragging me around now as he’s cooling off.
“He’s got a great constitution, nothing worries him. He’s fearless and we’re lucky to have him.”
It was Copy That’s 25th win from 49 starts and took him within sniffing distance of the $1 million mark, his bankroll totalling $986,165, most of it for Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth.
Green said he’d take a slightly conservative path now with the American Ideal five-year-old before the Victoria Cup on October 8.
“We could go to the Kilmore Cup next week as he’ll be the least disturbed by tonight’s race - those horses behind him will be gasping for air.
“But we’ll look after him a bit now. His best option is that race a week before the Victoria Cup.”
Green likes the Group II A$50,000 Smoken Up Sprint because it is only over 1720 metres, compared with the 2690 metres at Kilmore, and is closer to the 2240 metres of his grand finale in Victoria.
Green said he was pleased that all three horses he is campaigning in the state for Lincoln Farms have now won - Argyle won his opener at Melton and Simply Sam scored on Friday night at Shepparton, both three-year-olds aiming for the A$200,000 Victoria Derby on October 8.
Copy That and Simply Sam are then slated to return to New Zealand for the New Zealand Cup and Derby, Copy That still a $9 third fancy in the TAB futures market for the cup.
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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.
