Er, what happened there? The exact point where hot shot Copy That lost the Spring Cup
By Barry Lichter • 27 September 2020
Driver Maurice McKendry is adamant being forced four wide before the home turn cost Copy That Friday night’s Spring Cup at Alexandra Park.
Copy That surged forward when McKendry pulled him out of the one-one 400 metres out and looked set to gobble up pacemaker On The Cards. But, instead of having to come only three wide, he was forced four out as the parked runner Check In, driven by Andre Poutama, drifted out.
This saw the trailing Mach Shard and Scott Phelan drive through the gap, instead of waiting for the passing lane, a rare move given the leader was still travelling and ended up only 1.6 lengths from the winner.
The incident saw the red hot favourite Copy That lose three lengths on the leaders as he skirted wide and, even though he powered home late, he came up a head short behind the Barry Purdon-trained outsider Mach Shard.
Trainer Ray Green said McKendry reported he would have won easily had he not been pushed out four wide.
“He reckoned it cost him three lengths and he was a certainty beaten.”
“Even Barry Purdon said to me he could see that in another 20 metres Copy That would have won.
“I know people said he should have won with the trip he got but, given what happened, I thought it was a good run.”
The last 800 metres was cut out in 54.8 from the front, with Copy That clocking 54.4 with his last 400 in 27.5, much of it four wide.
Green said today Copy That had pulled up well from the run but he had a few minor adjustments to make with the horse.
“I wasn’t entirely happy with his gait,” he said.
Copy That will stay in the north for the $22,500 Holmes DG at Auckland on October 9 before travelling south with stablemate American Dealer a week later where he is expected to clash with Self Assured in the $47,500 Ashburton Flying Stakes (2400m) on October 26.
The All Stars’ pin-up horse has regained favouritism for the $540,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, now a clear top elect with the TAB bookies at $2.60, with Copy That drifting from outright $2.50 favourite to $3.50.
Self Assured won back a few friends last Wednesday at the Rangiora trials when he stepped cleanly, albeit virtually standing by himself in the middle of the track on the 40 metre mark.
Self Assured made ground strongly under his own steam to be only a head behind heat winner, stablemate Spankem, after 2600 metres in 3:12.2, home in 56.2 and 27.1.
American Dealer … will buddy up with Copy That for southern campaign. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Dealer books spot south
American Dealer booked his spot south with Copy That when he turned in a terrific run for fourth in Friday night’s $200,000 Harness Million.
The horse used plenty of petrol in the first 600 metres after driver David Butcher punched through from the second row and was caught three wide round the first bend, only reaching the death after 600 metres.
While he enjoyed a good trip three back on the outer for the last lap, he had simply too much ground to make up on the favourites and was six lengths from winner Krug at the post.
“I thought he finished better than anything,” Green said.
“You just can’t fault the little guy. He’s a classy little horse and never goes a bad race.”
Green will take American Dealer to Cambridge on October 15 for the next Sires’ Stakes heat then he will buddy up with Copy That for the trip south.
“It will be his first trip away but he’ll have time to get over it and acclimatise down there.
“There’s another Sires’ Stakes heat at Ashburton he can go in and the final is at Addington on cup day, November 10.”
More news in Harness
‘The Kid’ flying but Argyle up against it to add good points in novel drivers’ challenge
Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.
