Driver Maurice McKendry gave Copy That a searching workout at Pukekohe this morning. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
NZ Cup bound Copy That sets Pukekohe track alight with supersonic workout
By Barry Lichter • 30 October 2021
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is confident Copy That is primed for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after a sensational hitout at Pukekohe this morning.
Copy That was paired with fellow cup contender Christianshavtime in a 2500 metre workout and from the second he stepped to the front, driver Maurice McKendry had the handlebars down.
Copy That, pacing fluently throughout, ran away from his rival in the home straight to win by 15 lengths in a staggering 3:03.5.
Commentator Aaron White and some veteran track clockers in the box could not remember a faster time being run at Pukekohe which has much tighter corners than race circuits like Alexandra Park.
By comparison, when Copy That finished fourth behind Alta Wiseguy, Bad To The Bone and Christianshavtime in a workout on October 1, the overall time for the 2500 metres was more than eight seconds slower at 3:11.9, a mile rate of 2:03.5, with the closing 800 in 55.3 and 26.
A week earlier when Cruzee Mach beat Bad To The Bone and Christianshavtime, the 2500 metres took 3:14.4, a mile rate of 2:05.1, with the closing half and quarter in 56.1 and 26.3.
Copy That’s time represented a mile rate of 1:58.1, and saw him scream over his last 800 metres in 54.9 and 400 in 27.8.
“I’d think that would be a track record all right,” Green said. “I told Maurice to go at race speed because that’s what he needed.
“Maurice said he felt really super. He got him to run his last mile and a half in 2:54.”
Green said he could tell Copy That was “really in the zone” by the way he was travelling and he was even more pleased on the horse’s return.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way he pulled up. He hardly blew at all.
“His heart rate was 82 on returning to the barn and dropped to 74 after I hosed him down, so he’s in good shape.
“I know he’s had an unorthodox prep (only two lead-up races) but I’m not worried at all and based on today’s run it could be a good prep. I’d be surprised if he didn’t race really well in the cup.
“I respect the favourite Self Assured but we’ve beaten him before and he doesn’t look to be any better than he was. I certainly wasn’t terrified by what I saw of him at Ashburton.”
Green says Copy That won’t need any more fast work before he flies to Christchurch on Thursday.
“He’ll do a bit of pacework and he might have a sprint up on Wednesday, but nothing serious.
“All the stars are aligning and I think we’re a real chance in the cup. We just need a good trip and no dramas.”
Copy That was today equal third favourite with Pembrook Playboy on $6.50 after being $8 last week.
Self Assured holds favouritism at $2.30 with South Coast Arden a solid second fancy at $2.80.
The $600,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) is run on Tuesday, November 9.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
5.55pm
“The race never panned out for him on debut, he got too far back from a second row draw, but we’ve got the gun draw and gun driver (Zachary Butcher) on this time. He can run off the gate a bit so I don’t see why he can’t lead. I’d like to think he’s a chance to get some money. He’s been trialling and working well.”
Ray’s tips
Thursday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.41pm
“He missed four or five days work with an abscess in his foot when he came back from Manawatu so he could be a bit short.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.41pm
“She doesn’t handle the bends so well the Auckland way and is just going round to lose points. She’s been crucified by the handicapping system.”
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
6.06pm
“He’s not the finished article yet but he’s slowly getting the hang of it. There are nicer horses in the race than the ones he raced against at Manawatu so I’Il be happy if he can just do everything right and run a slot.”
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.31pm
“She won from a wide draw last time at Manawatu but this is a slightly harder field. She keeps drawing badly and the outside gate might inconvenience her again.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He got pushed out down the back last time because he couldn’t keep up. We had big aspirations for him but it looks like he isn’t as good as we thought. Nothing can beat Marketplace.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
7.54pm
“I’m sure she’s up to them when she’s right but she’s had her setbacks recently. First she tied up and then she kicked out at something and bruised a foot. She’s right now but that will render her not 100% fit.”
Race 9: Lincoln La Moose
9.36pm
“He went good races at Palmy but he pulled far too hard here last time. It was a better run than it looks on paper though as he couldn’t get a run at them in the straight. He’s probably on his mark now and will need a bit of luck.”
