Kango is rattling home but Copy That (Maurice McKendry) has the City Of Auckland Free-for-all sewn up. PHOTO: Megan Liefting.
Maurice set for bonus drives on Copy That after the Pukekohe pony delivers again
By Barry Lichter • 5 March 2021
Top driver Maurice McKendry is expected to retain the drive behind eftpos machine Copy That when he treks south for his next assignments in a few weeks.
McKendry teamed with Lincoln Farms’ star at Alexandra Park tonight for his 17th win, telling trainer Ray Green the horse bagged the $45,600 City Of Auckland Free-for-all quite easily despite having to work hard to find the front.
Under normal circumstances McKendry would have vacated the seat behind Copy That when he trekked to the South Island where owner Merv Butterworth favours using the country’s leading driver Blair Orange.
But Orange is under suspension for failing an alcohol test before the start of the races at Motukarara on January 24 and cannot drive again until after April 5.
Copy That’s next target is two days before that, April 3, the Group I $100,000 Breckon Farms/All Stars Racing Easter Cup (3200m) at Addington.
And Green says it’s likely he’ll give the horse a lead-up race a week earlier at Addington in the Group III $30,000 Teltrac Free-for-all (mobile 1980m) on March 26.
“We’ll be having a look at that race in the next few days - we’ve got a bit of time up our sleeve - but I’d say he’ll run. It would be a big ask to have a month in between runs before a 3200 metre race.”
Merv Butterworth … more relieved than excited.Green admitted that both he and Butterworth were more relieved than excited after Copy That’s latest win, the eighth time McKendry has saluted on the horse.
“A lot is expected of the horse now and even though he stood over them on paper, you wonder if for some weird reason he won’t deliver. So it was more a relief when he got the job done.”
Copy That was forced to work overtime early, when caught three wide round the first bend, but McKendry pressed forward to find the front by the end of the back straight.
“He had to pay his dues to get the lead but he got away with murder in the middle stages and it was very clinical after that,” Green said.
The expected home stretch challenge from second favourite Christianshavtime, who was left parked, was short lived and it was left to the improving Cambridge pacer Kango to run Copy That to one and a quarter lengths.
Copy That’s winning time was only 2:40.3, but he zipped home in 56.5 and 26.8.
The win took Copy That’s career tally to $358,629 from 33 starts.
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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.
