Expect microscopic odds on Copy That on Thursday but you can get $7.50 for the cup

Bookies might be giving you a spoil in their futures market for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, boosting Copy That’s odds from $5 to $7.50, but they won’t let you on when he resumes at Auckland on Thursday night.

Facing only four, far lesser rated rivals on even terms from behind the mobile gate, Copy That has opened this morning at $1.10.

Few punters will even contemplate backing the four runners rated in the 60s against the top-rating Copy That on R120 - but trainer Ray Green says he still doesn’t like counting his chickens.

“These four and five-horse races can be a battle of wits and he’s not on top of his game - there’s no way he can be after three and a half months away from the races - but he probaby won’t have to be.

“He’s not screwed right down but he’s feeling good, is nice and sound, and he’s the best horse in the race by a mile.”

Green says it will be up to driver Maurice McKendry to make the right calls.

“You put on these top drivers and expect them to do the right thing. I expect he’ll decide in the first 50 metres what to do.”

Maurice McKendry gets a feel for Copy That when winning at the Pukekohe workouts 11 days ago.It will be only the second time that McKendry has driven Copy That in a race in the last 12 months but he felt enough when winning a workout on him on September 1 to declare the horse could win a third trotting cup come November 14.

“He’s in good shape,” Green said. “I can’t fault him. He’s trained on well since the workout and we’ve had plenty of time to condition him for what he’s about to do now.”

In 10 starts over a mile during his spectacular career, Copy That has won six times and finished runner-up twice.

A close fourth in the Taylor Mile behind Akuta, Self Assured and Australian Better Eclipse, his sole bad run at the sprint trip was when an inexplicable ninth in the 2021 Harness Jewels at Cambridge.

Green isn’t fazed by the observation from Melbourne co-owner Merv Butterworth that Copy That doesn’t have the best record fresh-up.

Old Town Road pipped him in August 2022, but that was his first run after fracturing a splint bone eight months earlier.

And in July 2020, he was pulled up in a 2700 metre race at Auckland behind On The Cards when he started hitting the wheels and over-racing badly.

The class of opposition is considerably weaker on Thursday, however, and the $2 million earner is expected to show his stablemate Simply Sam how things are done.

“Sam is a nice horse but he’s not in the same ball park as Copy That.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he got some of the money though, as he’s going well.”

At his last start, Simply Sam upset Hooray Henry and Kahlua Flybye over 2700 meres after enjoying an economical trip in the trail.

Green says he can see Simply Sam getting home well over a mile but, realistically, he is running for second.

Obadiah Dragon scores at the workouts, with Frisco Bay a close third.Strong hand

Lincoln Farms starts the night with a strong hand in the second race with Obadiah Dragon, Frisco Bay and debutant Lenny Lincoln.

“Obadiah Dragon trialled nicely (winning) last Friday and pulled up well.

“He’s coming to it. He’s a nice little horse who will win races. You have to consider him a chance from the draw.”

Green says he is more hopeful, than confident, with Frisco Bay who ran last at Auckland on August 31 when expected to shine.

But things did not go well for the Downbytheseaside colt who was checked into a gallop when sandwiched 1800 metres out.

After that, Frisco Bay started pulling ferociously.

“He can be a little hot but that would certainly have fired him up. And when he slings his hook he’s difficult to stop.

“But if he does things right, he’ll be right there. I know he’s got a lot more ability than he’s shown. “We’ve got a new bit on him this week, designed to control him a bit better when he wants to run away.”

Green says he’s not expecting Lenny Lincoln to star on debut.

“He tries very hard and does everything right so I’ll watch with interest but I’m not expecting a slashing race and a win. As long as he gets round OK, I’ll be happy.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he ran well though.”

Lincoln Farms looks to have a good chance to take some major spoils in the fourth race too with Frankie Major, My Copy and Riverboy Ben engaged.

Cushy passage

From three, Green is hoping Frankie Major can get the same cushy passage he enjoyed at Cambridge last start when only a length second to Bad Medicine.

“He needs to be driven that way. He can’t rough it too much but he has huge ability. If he gets the same kind of trip he’ll be hard to beat again.”

My Copy … a winner waiting to happen.Green says he can’t fault My Copy who has been dealt more than his share of bad luck this prep.

Last time at Auckland, he was again dead stiff, McKendry blocked early in the run home before dashing at the leaders, only to become tied up in traffic again 75 metres from home.

“He’s no Copy That but he’s very honest. He should win one soon. He just needs no bad luck.”

Riverboy Ben, having his first run back, will find it a bit tough and Green says he’ll be heading to more easy assignments in Cambridge.

Lincoln River completes the line-up, drawn centre-field in the sixth race.

“He’s a real little slugger who’s never gone badly. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got up, even though Zinny’s mare is good.”

Jeremy “Zinny” Young will line up the likely favourite Lady Of The Light, a smart workout winner last Friday in preparation for her resumption.

Lincoln Farms’ junior Monkia Ranger gets the drive, with Young chasing a penalty-free win, the mare’s regular driver McKendry switching to Lincoln River.