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Blair Orange, not surprisingly, sticks with Copy That over The Big Lebowski in Friday’s Auckland Cup.

One more hit-out for Copy That tomorrow and he’ll be primed for Friday’s Auckland Cup

Copy That is in good order for Friday night when he will have only eight rivals in the $180,000 Auckland Cup.

Though Copy That hasn’t raced for three weeks, Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green said he felt right up to the mark when he drove the horse on Saturday.

In company with Simply Sam, the dual New Zealand Trotting Cup winner worked over a steady 2400 metres in 3:12, asked to sprint only over the final 400 in 27.4.

“The track was pretty bad but he felt pretty good and pulled up well,” Green said..

“He’ll go again tomorrow. We’ll work over a mile in 2:10, nothing exciting. He doesn’t need any more.”

Copy That hasn’t raced since finishing runner-up to Self Assured in the Messenger on April 28, timed to run home in 53.7 and 26.8.

Meanwhile, new stablemate The Big Lebowski has been confirmed a cup runner with Tony Herlihy to do the steering.

“There aren’t many big race drivers better than Tony,” Green said.

The Big Lebowski created a huge impression in his first start at Alexandra Park last Friday, skying away to an 11-length win for driver Blair Orange who, not surprisingly, sticks with Copy That.

The all powerful Mark and Nathan Purdon stable will also have two runners with Akuta, scratched last week with a foot abscess, joining Self Assured behind the tapes.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Tuesday at Addington

Race 4: The Big Lebowski
1.32pm

“His run at the cup trials on Wednesday has set him up nicely and I’m sure he’ll go well. He’s got the draw (four) and the driver (Blair Orange) and the horse is in a good place at the moment. He should be right in the fray.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday at Addington

Race 12: The Big Lebowski
7.48pm

“He comes in to six with scratchings but there’s plenty of speed inside him so he’s going to need a bit of luck. But I’m sure he’ll go a good race as he’s right on top of his game. He’s pulled up well from cup day.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.33pm

“I’d say he’s the one to beat. He certainly deserves to be favourite as the others have been around for a while. He’s a big, gangly horse who has time written all over him but he’s getting stronger all the time and he’s doing everything right now. The raw ability is there - he’s got a bit of speed - and he’s been running good fractions at the trials and getting home well.”


Race 11: Commander Lincoln
10.22pm

“Some of these look a lot better than he’s used to running against but they’re in there for a reason. He’s on the second row but he’s always running on and I’m sure he’ll go his usual, honest race.”

Dan Costello Race Photography