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
By Barry Lichter • 22 May 2023
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.
