Cup winning driver Blair Orange shares a special moment with son Harrison and daughter Lily. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Copy That throws scare into the camp with surprise lie-down before the big race
By Barry Lichter • 10 November 2021
Having his family at the races to share in Copy That’s IRT New Zealand Cup triumph was a special thrill for champion driver Blair Orange but he could have done without the scare the horse threw into the camp before the race.
Not wanting to take any chances with the entire in the waiting time before the big Addington race, Copy That was put into a box, rather than an open stall.
And for much of the time Orange’s children Harrison, 14, and Lily, 11, stood with him, patting, kissing and cuddling him.
But when the kids were not there, and the staff went to the smoko room just 15 metres away, the unthinkable happened.
“They looked over and couldn’t see his head and, thinking he must have become cast, went running over,” Orange said.
“When they got there they found he was lying down, asleep. That’s really unusual at the races, especially for a colt, and it certainly put the shits up everyone.
“Our staff had been on tenterhooks, and had wrapped him in cotton wool since he arrived, making sure they did everything right, especially with someone else’s horse.”
Copy That is more prone to kicking out in his stall at Alexandra Park and yelling out at any other horse that comes within range, so having a lie-down was quite out of character.
“It was incredible to see how much he loved the attention from the kids and it was a special moment for me to have them there and standing with him.”
Orange with daughter Lily and the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup trophy. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.The Orange children, not surprisingly, are heavily into horses themselves, Harrison spending every possible moment away from school helping out Woodend Beach trainer John Dunn.
“Harrison has been out at the beach all week and I love it that he’s there because Johnny is a great teacher. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get into harness racing.
“Lily is going really well too, she’s into riding, rodeos, barrel racing, show jumping and dressage.”
Orange credited another youngster for playing a special part in getting Copy That to the cup in prime condition, Ken Barron’s stable junior Sam Payne, son of trainer Greg Payne.
“Sam does such a great job working for us. He’s been driving Copy That since he arrived and I had faith in him. That’s a big thing for a young fella in his early 20s. When I was a kid I remember how special it was to handle a really good horse.”
When Orange finally did get in the cart, on raceday, he too, played his part to a tee.
“Everything worked out perfectly - everything that needed to happen did - and he won quite nicely.”
Orange even allowed himself a rare victory salute as Copy That raced two and half lengths clear.
“Wins like that don’t come round every day. It’s hard enough getting a drive in the cup, let alone a winning chance.”
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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.
