Copy That downs Bad To The Bone in the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Copy That clinical and we’ll see him again at Auckland before he goes south for the cup
By Barry Lichter • 9 October 2021
Copy That’s path to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup is set after his clincial win in Friday night’s Spring Cup at Alexandra Park.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green will keep the horse in the north and tackle the $25,000 Holmes DG (2700m) on October 22, before going south where he will use the $50,000 Kaikoura Cup (2600m) as his final lead-up.
“Taking the horse up to Kaikoura was out of the question before but now that the meeting has been moved to Addington that race becomes a better option than Ashburton,” Green said today.
It also gives Green more chance of being able to accompany Copy That south in the event Covid levels are lowered and he can leave the Auckland boundary.
Green saw enough from Copy That last night to be assured the horse is in good shape for his mission, even though he beat Bad To The Bone by only three-quarters of a length after enjoying the one-one sit.
“He did only what he had to. Maurice (McKendry) was pleased with how much acceleration he showed when he pulled the plugs and dashed to the front.
“Once he got away Maurice said he switched off and he had to start driving him, but he said he did it quite easily.”
Copy That had to run only 2:44.7 for the standing 2200 metre sprint, which was nearly four seconds slower than he paced when pipped in the race last year, the ante upped only to a 56.4 half and 28.2 quarter.
“I think he’s in a good place, where he needs to be,” Green said. “He ate up everything last night but he’s having a lie down in his paddock now, he’s a bit tired.
“He’ll have a little bowl round here at the Pukekohe workouts next Saturday and then run in the Holmes DG.
“Then, if I still can’t travel, I’ll have to post him down to somebody before the Kaikoura Cup.”
The Kaikoura Cup, on November 1, is eight days before the $600,000 Cup, for which Copy That is now a $5 third favourite behind Self Assured ($2.80) and South Coast Arden ($3.20).
Copy That extended his impressive record last night to 22 wins from 42 starts for $622,297 in stakes.
More news in Harness
Cloud over Angelic Copy again - bug threatens to force her out on Friday night at Auckland
Phone home - ET trotter Whats Up The Hill blasts off with narrow Escape at Auckland
Ray needs good results from blood test and gear change to repel southern fillies’ charge
Fergie takes the initiative and Onyx Shard delivers again for the galloping buddies
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
