Copy That fitter but money pours in for Nicholas Cage in Friday’s Spring Cup

The first challenge to Copy That in Friday night’s Spring Cup has already been issued - in cold hard cash.

Bookies who opened the fixed odds market for the Auckland feature have been smashed - but not by punters taking $1.45 on last week’s beaten hot pot Copy That.

The money has come instead for fresh-up Cambridge pacer Nicholas Cage, whose odds have tumbled in from $9 to $4.80, resulting in Copy That being eased out to $1.50.

The money trail suggests confidence that the Andrew and Lyn Neal-trained Nicholas Cage will step in his first try from behind the tapes.

In a recent standing start workout at Pukekohe, the speedy horse began safely, if not quickly, in his heat before accounting easily for two far lesser rivals.

And in his only other test from a stand, against a field of trotters in a workout at Cambridge in May, he was again well behaved, stepping well, albeit not brilliantly.

If Nicholas Cage can repeat that on racenight he would certainly give Copy That something to chase as he has already shown how potent he is in front against the best.

In the Founders Cup at Auckland in March, Nicholas Cage ripped along in front, clocking a mile rate of 1:53.6 for the 1700 metres and beating New Zealand Cup favourites Akuta and Copy That.

Copy That’s trainer Ray Green knows how important the start will be not only for Nicholas Cage but for his own charge.

Copy That and Maurice McKendry start from a maximum back mark of 20 metres on Friday.“We need to step well, but he’s shown he’s a good beginner. And if he can do that, the 20 metre handicap won’t be a problem as he won’t be far off them.”

The Spring Cup, which has a maximum back mark of 20 metres, has been a friend to handicapped runners in recent years.

Six of the last eight winners have started from a handicap, and in the other two - one taken by Copy That two years ago - no horse started off a mark.

Last year Kango was the sole handicapped horse, on 15 metres, and he beat a small field of five rivals.

And while the five winners between 2015 and 2019 were not all back markers - Triple Eight, Northview Hustler, No Doctor Needed, Hughie Green and Ohoka Punter all started from 10 metres.

Green reported Copy That has tightened up since his fresh-up run when, with a portly belly, he succumbed to Hooray Henry near the post.

Despite not carrying his $1.10 odds to victory, Copy That still reeled off fast closing sectionals of 54.6 and 27.1.

“He’s looking good now. I haven’t done anything outlandish with him this week, just routine work, but I wouldn’t call him porky any more.

“He’ll be one run fitter but this still isn’t a win-or-bust race. It’s all part of his lead-up to the big dance (the New Zealand Trotting Cup in November).

“It’s a handy bunch, and it’s only his second run, but he’s the best horse in the race and I’m sure he’ll go well. But I’m never one to be too confident and say he’ll smoke them or anything.”

Green said he was pleased that the Spring Cup went ahead with just six runners and that augured well for Copy That’s next preferred assignment, the $25,000 Holmes DG (standing 2700m) at Auckland on October 6, a race targeted for the resumption of Old Town Road.

Green also lines up Simply Sam in the Spring Cup and gives him a chance of getting some of the money.

Though only fourth last week, 4.5 lengths from Hooray Henry, Simply Sam came from the rear on the home turn and was held up before barrelling home, clocking closing sectionals of 54.7 and 27.3.

Very unlucky

Next best of Lincoln Farms’ four other runners could be Frankie Major in the eighth race.

He looked very unlucky last week when held up in the run home, ducking inside My Copy but then running into more Friday night traffic.

“I’m sure he would have been in the first two if he’d seen daylight. He was travelling really well.

“He should get an ideal run from two and, so long as he doesn’t try to burn the candle at both ends, he’ll be hard to beat.”

Lincoln River gives Lincoln Farms another strong chance in the race and being the sole runner on the second row, he could fluke a nice run through them.

“He’s a very reliable little guy but it would be nice to see him get a good trip for a change.”

For the second time on end, Lincoln River was left parked last week. He took over 400 metres out, and was still there until the 150, when he was swamped, finishing just 1.2 lengths from the winner, Miki Noel.

Green said he couldn’t fault the form of My Copy who capitalised on his first good draw in a while last week when second to the progressive Hugotastic.

“The winner just got away on him a bit but he worked home as good as anything. With the right trip he should get some of it again.”

Riverboy Ben would benefit from the run and be ready for Cambridge the following week.