Copy That tries right to the line, tightened between Amazing Dream and Spankem at the finish of the Auckland Cup.
Maurice: Copy That oh so brave in the cup but he just wanted to keep charging
By Barry Lichter • 31 December 2020
“He would have won it for fun if he’d led. Man he was brave.”
Driver Maurice McKendry’s summation of Copy That’s close third in tonight’s $196,000 Woodlands Auckland Cup only served to confirm that while he didn’t win, his was the run of the race.
Copy That’s chances of leading evaporated within the first 200 metres of the cup when, despite beginning well and holding Amazing Dream, he was crossed by Spankem with driver Natalie Rasmussen flapping the reins furiously at her charge.
Another 200 metres later McKendry found himself three deep on Copy That when Spankem handed up to Mark Purdon on stablemate Amazing Dream.
It looked curtains for Copy That when 400 metres further on a third All Stars’ runner Ashley Locaz whistled round and was gifted the top, relegating the Lincoln Farms’ star four deep.
The All Stars’ musical chairs continued soon after when Rasmussen came around again to retake the lead on Spankem, Copy That escaping being hopelessly hemmed in when Tony Herlihy eased Gambit, allowing McKendry to get out 2000 metres from home.
“When I got off the markers I tried to get him going as quietly as I could but he just wanted to keep charging,” McKendry said.
“He was just too strong … If he’d relaxed a wee bit earlier …”
Despite having no cover for the final two laps, Copy That still dug deep in the home straight, going down by only a neck and half a length despite being squeezed up in the final stages by the two All Stars’ runners.
“I got tightened but I didn’t have to stop driving, I still had plenty of racing room,” said McKendry when approached by the stewards inviting the camp to view the film.
The merit of Copy That’s performance was underlined by the time winner Amazing Dream ran, the 3200 metres cut out in a sizzling 3:56.5, 2.9 seconds faster than Self Assured took to win the race last year. Only Dream About Me has gone faster in the cup, clocking 3:55.4 in 2016 when the race reverted to a standing 3200 metres.
Trainer Ray Green was amazed to see his little fighter come again at the finish, making ground on the first two in the last few metres.
“It’s just unfortunate he got hung out to dry so far from home. But there’s no doubt in my mind it was the run of the race.”
Green also marvelled at the rare recovery rate of Copy That. “He’s pulled up really well and will head next to the Flying Mile at Cambridge next Friday.”
Only after that race will Green and owner Merv Butterworth decide whether to have a shot at the A$1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle outside Sydney on March 6.
“He’d need to be winning at Cambridge. If he can’t beat then here, there’s no point in going over there to take on King Of Swing and the others.”
American Dealer tries his hardest but he’s run out of juice after a tough trip in the Harness Million as Aladdin pounces from the trail to beat Shan Noble.Green also had to settle for third in the $200,000 Harness Million with American Dealer whose performance was excellent from the outside of the gate.
“Both horses have gone great. I was just hoping for better trips.”
Driver David Butcher was forced to drop back to the tail on American Dealer but made a big run round the field to park at the 900. While he fought doggedly in the straight, he had no answer to the All Stars’ pair Aladdin, who trailed before grabbing pacemaker Shan Noble by half a neck.
“David said he just flattened out the last 50 but he was entitled to do that,” Green said.
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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.
