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
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
