The jury’s still out on whether Copy That can come back to try to win a third Trotting Cup for owners Merv and Meg Butterworth. PHOTO: Ajay Berry.
Copy That has surgery and starts recovery but no answer yet to the $64,000 question
By Barry Lichter • 10 December 2023
It could be March before we’ll know if Copy That has recovered well enough to make a return to the racetrack.
The dual New Zealand Trotting Cup winner had surgery at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice in Victoria last Thursday when worn bone and cartilage and fragments were removed from his knee.
The horse will be confined to a small box at the nearby Dowling View Equine Centre for the next three weeks before being moved to a small yard for another five weeks, allowed out for twice-daily walks.
Owner Merv Butterworth said dependant on good results from scans Copy That would then be flown home to begin his rehabilitation with five weeks on a water walker.
Only at that stage, after further testing, would a call be made on the horse’s future.
“If all is well and Copy That is given the green light to proceed with full time training, it will be 13 weeks from now before he is seen and heard again at Lincoln Farms.
“Here’s hoping that the significant fighting power that Copy That has shown to date will help him through this recovery stage.”
Dr Brian Anderson is overseeing Copy That’s treatment at Ballarat.It is the second time that Ballarat vet Dr Brian Anderson has overseen the treatment and recovery of Copy That, after his initial injury in December, 2021 when he fractured a splint bone.
Since that episode Copy That has won a second New Zealand Trotting Cup, a $1 million Race By Grins and more than $1 million in prizemoney, giving Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green plenty of hope that he can make another comeback.
“He came through that first drama great so we know he can do it,” Green said. “But he is a little older now and has a bit of wear and tear which may necessitate a different programme for him.
“We don’t really know for sure the prognosis. All we can do is press on and follow the programme.
“Everyone has had horses with this kind of injury, it’s quite common. If the cartilage has been compromised too much that can cause problems down the road but these days there are medications to keep them on track.”
Cartilage, which protects the bone by absorbing some of the force placed on the horse’s legs, is a poor healer by itself. But there are various medications that help cartilage regenerate.
“I’m sure he’ll be on everything we can put him on,” Green said.
“My gut feeling is that if nothing else goes wrong, we’re in good shape. If there’d been something sinister the MRI scan would have sussed it.
“As soon as he’s done the water treadmill work we should be able to assess him properly. Until then we’re just guessing but, knowing the horse, I’m optimistic.
“Unless something catastrophic happens I’m sure he’ll come back - to what level we don’t know yet. But we want him firing on all eight cylinders.”
The horse’s myriad of fans will be hoping that happens and he can tilt at a record-equalling third New Zealand Trotting Cup next November.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
