Copy That’s owners Merv and Meg Butterworth … looking for more luck at the start of Tuesday’s Trotting Cup.
Merv rapt with Copy That’s Trotting Cup draw with main rivals out the back on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 3 November 2021
Owner Merv Butterworth was delighted when Copy That today drew wide on the front line for Tuesday’s $600,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
Copy That came up with the 10 marble for the cup but with two emergencies, Matt Damon and Taipo, drawn inside him he will start from eight on the 10-strong front line with Henry Hubert and Bad To The Bone outside him.
Even better, Copy That’s two main rivals will both start from the second line, with Self Assured in 12 and South Coast Arden one of three runners wider out on the unruly mark.
The draws have seen a shuffle at the top of the market with the TAB lifting Copy That to be the $4.50 second favourite and easing South Coast Arden right out to $5. Self Assured holds favouritism at $2.70.
“When I was talking to Ray (Green) a couple of days ago I told him I wanted six, seven or eight and we’ve got eight,” Butterworth said.
“Fingers crossed we’ll have more luck than last year but I’ll be happier after the race.”
Traditionally it has been an advantage for a good beginner to be wider on the front line in the cup, rather than on the inside from where they can potentially become bottled up.
Copy That felt the full brunt of that scenario last year when he drew the rails but ended up last in the early running while eventual winner Self Assured was allowed to get away with a flying start from wide on the second line and was disputing the lead after only 200 metres.
New protocols for standing starts in the south should prevent that from happening this year, with replacement starter Ricky Donnelly demanding horses stand before releasing the tapes.
Others treated well in today’s draw include swift beginners Pembrook Playboy ($5.50) in three and Classie Brigade ($7.50) alongside in four, the only others less than $31 in the field.
Copy That, who is due to fly south to Christchurch on Thursday, had his final serious hitout this morning, Green happy with the way he trained at Pukekohe.
“I bowled him over two miles and let him go strong over the final bit, but didn’t overdo him, and he did it really well.”
More news in Harness
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Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
