Copy That, wearing a new bit, rumbles with Akuta in preparation for Friday’s Founders

Two of New Zealand’s big guns, Copy That and Akuta, warmed up for Friday night’s Founders Cup at Auckland with a smart workout at Pukekohe today.

Not out for time, the pair worked steadily through the early stages of their 2050 metre heat, Akuta leading his rival, before upping the ante over the last 800 metres in 56.3 and 400 in 27 flat.

Akuta (Brent Mangos) held a neck margin at the line but Andrew Drake was happy to just sit alongside on Copy That without even pulling the hood.

“I got to Mango and just stayed with him,” said Drake who was impressed by the feel of the dual New Zealand Cup champion in his first speed test since returning from a Victorian campaign.

Trainer Ray Green said the run mirrored Copy That’s casual habit of rushing up to his rivals then switching off. The trip took 2:37.6, a mile rate of 2:03.6.

New bit successful

“They got home well and he’s pulled up well, which is the main thing. Best of all, he drove perfectly after we changed his bit.”

Green said he wanted to prevent a repetition of the Hunter Cup run where driver Blair Orange pulled up Copy That on the last lap.

“He got a bit fierce in Australia and choked himself. He had a straight bit, which they can really latch on to, but today we had him in a snaffle and mini bit. He respects it, but won’t over-race in it.”

Andrew Drake takes Copy That’s heart rate after his heat.Green said while Copy That was still a bit tubby, after a few weeks enjoying the good grass, he would quickly drop off that excess weight.

And the fact his heart rate was a low 78 when he went into the wash bay showed he had lost little of his fitness.

“He’ll be ready enough for the Founders Cup, which is over only 1700 metres and, anyway, it isn’t that important in the scheme of things. It’s a means to an end and I want him to come out of this race looking for more.”

Green said he was worried, however, about where the horses are going to come from to fill the Founders Cup field, after the recent export of Hot And Treacherous to Queensland further drained the poor pool of tight class horses.

“The race does need to get the race off the ground or how else are we to get our horses fit for bigger assignments? It’s a Group III race so they have a duty to run it, even with a small field.

“If we keep canning these races we risk more owners saying we can’t get a start in New Zealand so what I am doing here?”

Only two free-for-alls are programmed at Auckland before the $1 million The Race at Cambridge on April 14, next week’s Founders and the City Of Auckland Free-for-all (mobile 2200m) on March 24.

Green was pleased with how Lincoln Farms’ three two-year-olds handled their first look at the mobile gate in the learners’ heat over 1609 metres.

Onyx Shard leads Lincoln Blue, parked and Lenny Lincoln, trailing, in their first workout at Pukekohe today.Sweet Lou filly Onyx Shard, raced by Lincoln farms’ business manager Ian Middleton and two mates Paul Humphries and Ian Harris, prevailed after leading for driver Andre Poutama.

Onyx Shard had a neck to spare over the late-closing Lenny Lincoln (Andrew Dake) with a further length to Lincoln Blue (Zachary Butcher), running the trip in 2:07.2, the last 800 in 60.4 and 400 in 28.

Lenny Lincoln (Vincent - Tristar Brigade) and Lincoln Blue (Bettor’s Delight - Pop Princess) are among the babies available for special partnerships.

Colonel Lincoln powers home to run down Riverboy Ben.Colonel Lincoln showed he was forward after a six-month break when running down stablemate Riverboy Ben in a slick three-horse heat over 2050 metres.

Colonel Lincoln, winner of one of his eight starts, clocked 2:30, a mile rate of 1:57.7, ripping home in 56.3 and 27.2.

The Bettor’s Delight colt out of Jessie’s Cullen, was a $200,000 buy at the 2021 Karaka sale, and has been given plenty of time to furnish.

Commander Lincoln (Andre Poutama) leading his heat.Unraced American Ideal three-year-old Commander Lincoln led his 2050 metre qualifier, swallowed up late by the John Dickie-trained Champagne Night who clocked 2:36.9, a mile rate of 2:03.1.

The closing half was cut out in 57.7 and quarter in 28.1.

Commander Lincoln, a $90,000 yearling, is a brother to Green’s previous $1.27 million winner (My) Hard Copy.