Copy That has Check In well covered at the finish at Alexandra Park tonight. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Copy That comes through toughest test with flying colours - but Merv’s staying grounded
By Barry Lichter • 20 August 2020
Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth got it almost straight from the horse’s mouth after Copy That scored another decisive win at Alexandra Park tonight.
Butterworth, who races the exciting pacer with his wife Meg, spoke to driver Maurice McKendry moments after he brought the horse back to scale.
And McKendry quickly explained why, though decisive, the win didn’t appear anywhere near as brilliant as his previous success when he almost broke the New Zealand record for 1700 metres.
“Maurice said he had to face a strong head wind three times and also that the track was off.
“I thought it was his toughest test to date and he came through it well,” Butterworth said.
Trainer Ray Green also assured Butterworth that it wasn’t fair to expect the four-year-old to score scintillating wins every start considering he was now being trained as a 3200 metre horse.
Merv Butterworth checks out Copy That on a previous visit to Auckland.But Butterworth says it’s way too soon to be getting too excited about November’s New Zealand Cup.
And while Copy That appeared to have the measure of his northern rivals, there was still the daunting ask of coming up against the All Stars’ best horse Self Assured plus whatever else the South Island could throw up.
Copy That, who began smartly from his 10 metre handicap, trailed third for the first round before McKendry moved out at the bell to breeze to prevent being buried.
With Check In running along at a relentless clip, Copy That closed within two lengths before the turn and gained the measure of his rival 100 metres from home.
At the line he had a length to spare, with the 2200 metre trip run in 2:42.4, with closing sectionals of 57.4 and 29.4.
Veteran Star Galleria got the photo finish for third, a nose in front of Mach Shard.
Second favourite Belle Of Montana was never a factor after galloping away and finished 45 lengths from the winner in seventh place.
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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.”
