Copy That comes up three-quarters of a length short of Self Assured, with Better Eclipse third. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Copy That on the receiving end of Messenger walk fest but Ray and Blair happy with champ
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2023
As soon as commentator Aaron White revealed Self Assured got away with the middle half of tonight’s Messenger in 65.4, trainer Ray Green knew Copy That was in trouble.
The sectional, which most maidens could beat in their sleep at Alexandra Park, signalled those back in the field had no chance.
And it proved insurmountable even for Copy That, on Self Assured’s back, as he came up three-quarters of a length short in the home stretch drag race.
“It was always going to be tricky to get past Self Assured after Nat walked them,” Green said. “There’s nothing between the two horses.”
Driver Blair Orange, who handed up to Self Assured 1800 metres from home, was equally as matter-of-fact.
“Anything that gets a soft run in front like that is hard to beat. You can’t grow wings and fly.”
Self Assured was flying as it was, Natalie Rasmussen only having to dial it up when Smiffy’s Terror roared round to press the issue 800 metres from home, reeling off a sizzling 53.9.
“I was happy with him,” Orange said of Copy That. “There was no speed in the middle part which didn’t help but he travelled great, kind, didn’t pull.
“And to his credit he was just winding up again at the finish and they ran home in 26.9.”
The final sectionals may have been electric but overall the time of 3:18.8 was average, all of 5.7 seconds slower than Majestic Cruiser’s clocked in winning the Messenger last year, albeit that was a New Zealand record.
That made the run of Australian Better Eclipse a bottler again, as he sat parked for the last 1200 metres and was just a neck behind Copy That at the finish.
Green said he couldn’t complain about the run of Copy That, only the reduced stake of $80,550 for the Group I race.
But he was pleased to see his little champ breach the $2 million mark in earnings, the $13,950 runners-up prize boosting his lifetime tally to $2,004,476.
Green said he would now just keep Copy That ticking over in preparation for the $180,000 Auckland Cup on May 26.
He was undecided whether the horse would contest the $45,000 Roy Purdon Memorial a week earlier, given the 2200 metre stand was hardly the best lead-up to the 3200 metre cup.
“But we don’t have to make any decisions yet, we’ve got three weeks for that.”
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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.
