Copy That shoots for his 19th win at Auckland on Friday night.
Copy That’s great constitution sees him odds-on to complete Group One double on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 28 April 2021
Watching Copy That charging round his paddock on Tuesday told trainer Ray Green all he needed to know.
Four days after his brave win in the Taylor Mile, Lincoln Farms’ star pacer was fully recovered and primed for a Group One double on Friday night in the $95,000 NZ Messenger Championship.
“He’s got a great constitution. He ate everything on Friday night after the race so it obviously didn’t hurt him.”
Green drove Copy That in his final training session on Wednesday, setting him a solid 2400 metre trip which he completed in 3:12.
“He had a decent workout and pulled up well. He’s not a flashy trackwalker, especially on his own, but he had a heavy cart on and sprinted up a bit at the finish. I can’t fault where he’s at.”
Copy That enjoys a pick in his paddock. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green said Copy That was not at his peak when he resumed last week, a huge rap given the horse was made to work hard to reach the front, was attacked mercilessly in the running and still paced the mile in 1:54.5 on a shocking wet track.
“I wanted to race him a week before the Taylor Mile and couldn’t get a start, so the short trip helped. Had it been 2700 last week I would have been a bit worried.
“But he got home in 26.6 off the front and Maurice said he travelled really nicely.
“You couldn’t make a case for the others being unlucky, they all had their chance, nothing was running him down.”
Green said while Amazing Dream took a couple of lengths off Copy That in the run home, the mare had enjoyed a cosy trip in the one-one.
“She did no work and got sucked along whereas Copy That had to work hard early then copped a mauling from Bad To The Bone. It’s not like he got away with murder.”
Green said it was impossible to make a case that Copy That won’t get the 2700 metre trip as well. The bare stats of the horse having raced over 2700 metres four times for only one win and one placing were completely misleading.
Copy That, right, flies home from the rear to finish a close fifth in Spankem’s Franklin Cup. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race ImagesWhen Copy That tackled 2700 metres in the Holmes DG he came from 30 metres behind and thumped his rivals.- When he ran second to Amazing Dream in the Northern Derby he was desperately unlucky not to win after being snookered for a run on the home turn and flashing home.
- When he ran fifth in the Franklin Cup he was only 1.4 lengths from winner Spankem and motored home from the rear in one of the runs of the race.
- And in his only other attempt he was pulled up in the running when he over-raced badly fresh-up, hitting the sulky wheels.
Copy That has also shown the extreme 3200 metres holds no fears for him.
- His first attempt, when eighth in last November’s New Zealand Cup, was blighted by a shemozzle of a start, all the horses drawn the inside left standing flat-footed while those wide out got a flyer, resulting in long-time started Peter Lamb losing his job at Addington.
- In the Auckland Cup on New Year’s Eve, Copy That was the victim of an army of All Stars competitors and despite racing parked for the last two laps still finished only a neck and half a length third, closing late in tight quarters on Amazing Dream and Spankem.
Green knows it’s not easy to lead all the way over 2700 metres and that’s why he says he wouldn’t worry if Copy That doesn’t make the pace on Friday night.
“I don’t care where he is in the running as long as he gets a good trip.”
But from gate two it’s inconceivable to think that driver Maurice McKendry won’t head straight to the top and dominate.
“I try not to get too confident because you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment,” Green said. “I like eggs but not too much on my face.
“Winning Group One races isn’t supposed to be easy. These are the best of his age around and there are some good horses in the race. I was actually surprised how well all the first four went last week.
“But I know how good Copy That is and it will take a very good effort to beat him.”
The TAB bookies think the same, opening Copy That at $1.55, after spoiling punters last week with a $2.10 quote. Amazing Dream is at $4 and Bad To The Bone $7.
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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.
