Copy That is travelling easily, unchallenged near the finish of tonight’s Ballarat Pacing Cup.
Cop That! Kiwi champ’s ridiculously easy win in Ballarat Cup augurs well for the big one
By Barry Lichter • 22 January 2023
Trainer Ray Green believes Copy That stamped himself as clearly the best horse in Australasia when he scored a “ridiculously easy” win in tonight’s A$150,000 Ballarat Cup.
“They didn’t even get a smell of him,” Green said after the dual New Zealand Trotting Cup hero led all the way to win untested by 2.8 metres, easily staving off late challenges from Honolua Bay and Triple Eight.
“That was the easiest looking win he’s had for the last six months. When I heard he’d run his second quarter in 30.1 I thought ‘how are they going to beat him’.
“And I knew on the corner when they were all off the bridle that they wouldn’t catch him. He left them to it.”
Green said even though the commentator got a little excited when Triple Eight zipped out of the pack, it took only one flick on Copy That’s bum by driver Blair Orange to see the horse pick up again - “and it was see you later.”
Green said Copy That once again showed he was nigh on impossible to run down.
“He’s never been beaten in front when he’s been able to get there easily. Even Self Assured hasn’t been able to get him at home.”
Copy That was credited with a time of 3:15.7 for the mobile 2710 metres, a mile rate of 1:56.2, with closing splits of 28.7, 30.1, 28.8 and 27.3.
“I’m thrilled for the horse. It’s a different Copy That this time to the previous trip to Australia (when he was coming back from injury and four months of confinement).
“You always worry before a race like this, however, after a big trip but that was ridiculously easy. And it’s looking good for further down the track.”
Copy That should now start a clear favourite for the A$500,000 A G Hunter Cup at Melton in a fortnight when there will be few newcomers to take him on.
Old Town Road turned in one of the best runs in the race for fifth, closing late out wide.One who wasn’t in tonight’s Cup but will be there next time, Expensive Ego, was beaten into second at Menangle tonight.
“He’s a good horse but he lacks a yard of speed and has to take it to them,” Green said. “But even if he sits outside Copy That it won’t worry him. He loves that. He lets them come right up to him.”
Green was rapt for stable foreman Andrew Drake, who has been looking after Copy That on the trip and Orange, who has had few opportunities to drive in Australia and was scoring only his third win across the Tasman tonight.
“Blair is so cool under fire. You could see him looking across and thinking: ‘Where the hell are they?”
Rare cross code double
Copy That’s win gave his Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth a rare cross code cups double after grey galloper Riot And Rose, whom they race in a syndicate, took out the A$50,000 Camperdown Cup for trainer Peter Moody.
That was a first for the Butterworths who have won more than 1000 races including Group features and big cups, more than enough reason to uncork a few champagnes last night.
Merv Butterworth described Copy That’s win as “pre-written.”
“Everything went to plan and when I spoke to Blair afterwards he was very happy that they allowed him to dawdle along in front.
“I reckon that was his easiest win.”
Fellow Kiwi Old Town Road ran an eye-catching fifth, making ground late out wide for driver Zachary Butcher to be 8.2 metres from Copy That at the line, without ever looking a threat.
Former Kiwi Cranbourne dropped out from the trail to finish eighth and the well backed Rock N Roll Doo beat home only Major Meister who spent plenty of petrol early to sit parked.
More news in Harness
‘The Kid’ flying but Argyle up against it to add good points in novel drivers’ challenge
Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.
