Copy That is well in control over Self Assured and Thefixer in the Flying Mile at Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Copy That all the way in 1:53.2 demolition but Miracle Mile looking increasingly unlikely
By Barry Lichter • 8 January 2021
Copy That’s dominant win in tonight’s $42,750 Flying Mile at Cambridge is unlikely to sway his connections into risking a trip to Australia for the $1 million Miracle Mile in March.
Neither owner Merv Butterworth nor Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is keen on the big Sydney sprint even though Copy That showed just how potent he is at the distance with a 1:53.2 clocking, the second fastest in the history of the Cambridge race.
From the time driver Maurice McKendry secured the front after a brief early duel with Mach Shard and Thefixer, the result was never in doubt as he reeled off a 55.9 last half and 26.8 quarter.
The task of sitting parked was too much for Spankem who weakened to fifth and the late chasing was left up to New Zealand Cup winner Self Assured who could get only within a length and a half at the line, a nose in front of third placed Thefixer.
Merv Butterworth admires his champ Copy That.In Melbourne Butterworth, while very pleased at the dominance of the win, was not getting too excited.
“We shouldn’t get carried away. It was a small track, he was in front, the others were out the back and Maurice controlled the race.
“I suppose that’s all he had to do and it’s nice to get the win after all the bad luck we’ve had and the team driving against us.”
Butterworth, however, said tackling the Miracle Mile was not simply a question of getting on a plane to Sydney and nominating for the race.
“You’ve got to run in other races like at Newcastle or the Chariots Of Fire and finish first or second, to get an invite.
“And I don’t like Menangle. It’s a tougher track than Cambridge. It takes many horses a few runs to get used to the track and the way of racing.
“We had everything in our favour tonight. What happens if we draw wide at Menangle?
“I know people will say ‘but it’s a million dollar race’. Well, the first prize isn’t a million.”
The logistics of racing in both New South Wales and Victora were also now very clouded with the borders closed because of COVID-19.
Butterworth said he’d ideally love to see the horse eventually race at Gloucester Park in Perth.
“They’ve got the best prize money in Australia but that’s only a dream because I’m a Perth boy. I’ve got four racing there tonight.”
Maurice McKendry brings Copy That back after the Flying Mile. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Butterworth said he was cautious about making a final decision on the Miracle Mile just yet but he will get no argument from Green.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me. Why kill the horse over there this year when we don’t have to?
“He’s got lots of age group racing coming up that are Group Ones and they’ll be a stroll in the park compared with what he’s been racing.
“He’ll have to do hardly any travelling and we’ll have a nice, fresh horse for next year.”
Green said he didn’t fancy the idea of sending Copy That to another trainer in Australia with COVID-19 restrictions and quarantine delays.
“We could ship the horse there but personnel can’t travel and I wouldn’t like to send him to someone who doesn’t know the horse. I don’t see that as a smart move.
“Gary Hall has decided against sending Chicago Bull and Self Assured and Amazing Dream aren’t going any more.
“We can run in big races here without the risk and expense. The only four-year-old race in Australia he’d miss is the Chariots Of Fire. He can do the other races next year and the year after.”
Likely programme
The programme Green favours revolves around the following races:
* February 26: Group III $30,000 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup at Auckland
* March 5: Group II $50,000 City Of Auckland Free-for-all at Auckland
* April 3: Group I $100,000 Easter Cup at Addington
* April 23: Group I $100,000 Taylor Mile (4yo) at Auckland
* April 30: Group I $100,000 Messenger (4yo) at Auckland
* June 6: Group I $100,000 Harness Emerald (4yo) at Cambridge.
Hopefully by the end of all that Green says Copy That will have well and truly broken his Group One duck.
“I’d like to get that monkey off our back. It will come and he stood over them so much tonight I’m convinced he would have won the Auckland Cup if he’d led.”
Green says Copy That is likely to have a brief freshen up now before his autumn assignments.
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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.
