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.
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Our runners this week
Friday night at Cambridge
Lincoln Lover, Prince Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Sugar Ray Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
