Copy That thriving in cup prep but Ray’s not looking forward to training by remote control

Copy That is thriving in his build-up to the New Zealand Trotting Cup but trainer Ray Green is almost resigned to the fact that he probably won’t see the horse for the crucial last fortnight before the race.

Green says the way Copy That ($1.80) has been training since his clinical Spring Cup win two weeks ago gives his opposition little chance of turning the tables in Friday night’s Holmes DG at Alexandra Park.

But under the Covid restrictions, Green can’t accompany the horse south on Monday, can’t be at Addington on November 1 for his final lead-up race and, unless border restrictions ease, can’t even put the finishing touches on him for the $600,000 IRT Cup on November 9.

“Training by remote control isn’t ideal but we’ll just have to do the best we can. I just hope everyone does their bit.”

When Copy That ends his two-day road trip on Tuesday afternoon he will be stabled at the property of race driver Blair Orange, which adjoins the stables of Ken Barron.

“I’m sure Blair and Lisa will look after him well and Ken will send over a gelding as a mate for him.”

Ray Green … frustrated by Auckland border restriction.Green says he can’t understand why he can’t get approval to leave Auckland if he’s double vaccinated and supplies a negative Covid test.

But he knows repeated pleas by Brent Mangos, trainer of cup second favourite South Coast Arden have failed as have those by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, trainers of fifth cup fancy Bad To The Bone.

The rulings are in line with the Government’s third denial of a travel exemption last week for the three Auckland rugby unions Auckland, Counties Manukau and North Harbour, resulting in their having to pull out of the remainder of the NPC competition, a decision that is set to cost the provinces millions in lost player wages.

Green and owners Merv and Meg Butterworth are looking at a potential $300,000 payday for Copy That on cup day and Green believes their horse is right on target.

“There was no trial for him last Friday, which was disappointing, but he trained pretty well by himself.

“He’s really thriving, which he needs to be with the cup only 20 days away.

“I can’t see any reason why he won’t win again this week. He’s up against some tidy horses, the best you can get up here, so he can’t afford to spot them too much start, but he steps well.”

Copy That is the sole back marker on 30 metres but he had little trouble overcoming the same mark 12 months ago when he looped the field to lead at the bell and staved off a late charge by South Coast Arden in a slick 3:18.3 for the 2700 metres.

Second favourite Bad To The Bone ($4.20) has yet to win in six starts at 2700 metres or further while third favourite Belle Of Montana ($5.50), runner-up in the Oaks at her only try at 2700 metres, looked on her way back to form when very unlucky not to finish closer than fifth in the Spring Cup, repeatedly blocked in the run home.

Arden’s Horizon (3) winning a pre-Jewels workout at Cambridge.Lincoln Farms’ next best chance on Friday night looks to be Arden’s Horizon in the third race - providing he gets better luck than his last start when he was poleaxed in an early melee, catapaulting driver Andrew Sharpe out of the cart.

Stewards reported Arden’s Horizon made heavy contact with the fallen Keepers Ideal and scratched him from the rerun, before the vet cleared the horse of injury, enfuriating Green who was not consulted.

“This is the best draw (three) he’s had for a while and, if he was to lead, I think he’d be a serious chance.

“He’s honest and isn’t one to shirk if things don’t go his way.”

Arden’s Horizon was kept up to the mark at the Pukekohe workouts last Friday when he trailed before unwinding a winning sprint in the home stretch, closing in 58.3 and 27.8.

Bet On The Tiger … gets his first good draw on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Bet On The Tiger (race 2) is also drawn to show his true worth from the pole, the first time in his two-start career that he hasn’t drawn badly.

On debut he did well to stick it out for fourth after sitting parked most of the way and last start he copped the backwash from the breaking pole runner, ending up near the rear.

Pushed four wide when making his run around the home bend he finished on resolutely, clocking the second fastest last mile in the race.

“He was pushed all over the Park last time and still finished off well. He’ll get a better trip this time, is very honest and should go well.”

Green says to take no notice of his seemingly lacklustre third at the workouts last Friday when he got a long way back in the running and paced roughly on bends.

“The heat was run left-handed and he’s not so good that way just yet. That’s why we’re racing at Auckland.”

Bet On The Tiger will need to be right on his A game, however, as he faces some talented opposition, including debutant Old Town Road, who has impressed winning three recent workouts, the Steve Telfer-trained Matt Major, who was heavily punted on debut, the Robert Dunn freshman Some Chevron and Brent Mangos’ Ask Away.

Louie LeBeau … reeled off the fastest last mile at his last start. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Louie LeBeau and Pasquale complete the Lincoln Farms’ line-up in the fifth race, a Sires’ Stakes heat, but look up against it from bad draws with the major contenders hogging the inside four alleys.

“You can’t fault Louie LeBeau in either of his two starts. But he’s another who’s crying out for a decent draw.”

Last start, from the second row, Louie LeBeau ran the fastest last mile in the race, 2:00.6, to finish fourth behind Betyahavtime.

“Pasquale got a hell trip last week - he went on a searching run and he’s not ready for that. He needs a drag and a trip.

“He’s taking pot luck from the second row on Friday but he’ll win one soon.”

Pasquale led all the way to win his latest workout at Pukekohe last Friday, home in 58.5 and 28.