Copy That now cup co-favourite after hotshots flop - blood tests for lethargic Self Assured
By Barry Lichter • 24 October 2022
Bookies turned the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup futures market upside down tonight after the hotshots failed in today’s Flying Stakes, with Copy That promoted to equal favourite.
Lincoln Farms’ flagbearer is now a $4.60 top elect, along with Australian visitor Rock N Roll Do, who eased slightly after completely muffing the start at Ashburton, looping the field to sit parked then battling away for sixth, two and a half lengths from winner B D Joe.
Long time co-favourite Self Assured has slipped dramatically to fifth favourite at $7.50 after he could finish only seventh, three lengths from the winner.
While driver Mark Purdon had to take a strong hold of Self Assured 50 metres from the post when sandwiched between runners, he later told stewards the horse felt lethargic in the running and he would be getting blood tests done.
Self Assured could not go with new-kid-on-the-block Old Town Road when they started their runs in the home stretch, John Dickie’s charge the real eye-catcher in the race, coming from last 250 metres out to earn fourth cup favouritism, in from $21 last week to $6.
B D Joe was initially credited with a closing half of 53.4, but stewards later reviewed the time and amended it to 55.3. Old Town Road was privately timed to clock 54 flat,home in 25.4.
Old Town Road’s sprint was the undoubted highlight, his finishing burst carrying him to within a neck of the winner, with another neck to Spankem, a nose to Alta Wiseguy and half a length to Pembrook Playboy.
Old Town Road lay in and had to be straightened by driver Zachary Butcher passing the 50m, hampering Self Assured, and again lay in near the finish, Butcher later advised to make a greater effort to maintain a straight course. He told stewards he would be recommending gear changes.
Stonewall Stud’s B D Joe is now the third cup fancy on $5 after winning his third race on end with another electric beginning to lead. His effort to stave off all challengers had plenty of merit though driver Ben Butcher will be spoken to in the coming days over his use of the whip in the run home.
Natalie Rasmussen … told to exercise more care after trying to extricate the unlucky Spankem.Spankem holds sixth favouritism at $13 after being held up in the middle stages of the run home. Driver Natalie Rasmussen was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground after angling out near the 50m in search of clear racing room.
Alta Wiseguy, who was less than a length from the winner, is next best fancied at $15.
Before authorising the OK for his fourth placing, stewards checked that the gelding had not gained an advantage when racing inside the final track marker just before the start of the passing lane.
When issued with a warning, driver Tim Williams said he would be recommending gear changes.
South Coast Arden, who broke at the start today and only battled into eighth, 5.3 lengths from the winner, continues to drift in the cup market, now on $41.
More news in Harness
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
