Copy That draws perfectly for Tuesday’s Cup - with main rivals stranded on the second row
By Barry Lichter • 2 November 2022
Copy That has tightened in to a $3.60 clear favourite after drawing perfectly in eight for his defence of Tuesday’s $600,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington.
But the news isn’t so good for two of his main rivals, second favourite Australian Rock N Roll Doo on the second row in 13 and third fancy, the accomplished front-runner B D Joe in 15.
Of the next main fancies Akuta drew three, Old Town Road nine and 2020 cup winner Self Assured one.
Krug, the last horse to make the 15-horse cut, will start from four.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green was delighted with the eight draw, the same slot he started from in last year’s cup.
“That’s a very good draw and should affirm his favouritism. I just didn’t want to draw the second line because he’s such a good stepper. From eight he can get past the ones who don’t get out so well.”
Green reported Copy That had settled in beautifully at Ken Barron’s Toliman Lodge after his flight south from Auckand on Tuesday.
“He had a jog this morning, is bouncy and happy, and is now enjoying a nice, big paddock in the sun.”
The big drifter in the market is B D Joe who has slumped from a $6 second favourite to the sixth line on $12 after drawing the second row, along with his stablemate Alta Wiseguy who has eased from $21 to $31.
Rock N Roll Doo’s second row draw also saw him let out to $6.
* Rock N Roll Doo, Krug and Old Town Road are the only three starters in the traditional cup trial today at 5.35pm.
* Self Assured has been treated for a blood disorder since he finished seventh in the Ashburton Flying Stakes, driver Mark Purdon reporting he felt lethargic.
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.”
