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Copy That’s record over 2200 metres is exceptional.

Punters climb into Copy That who looks to have everything going for him on Friday night

Everything points to Copy That winning Friday night’s City Of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park.

As soon as punters saw Copy That had drawn two for the 2200 metre feature they attacked his opening price of $2.70, and trainer Ray Green reckons he’s a good bet even at his current quote of $1.90 given he should shoot straight to the lead.

“If history is anything to go by it would be a risk betting against him,” Green said.

“He’s very rarely been beaten when he’s led. And in small fields like this generally you don’t get too much mid-race pressure because everybody is reasonably handy. They don’t rush up and stick it to you.”

Green points out too that the main protagonists in the Free-for-all are being aimed at next month’s $1 million slot race at Cambridge so in a $45,000 lead-up, nothing is going to gut themselves attacking Copy That.

“I can see it being a glorified trial and if Copy That leads, which he should do, I don’t think there’s anything there that can beat him.

“I thought his was the run of the race last time,” Green said of Copy That’s fresh-up third in the Founders Cup when he ripped home from the back, pacing his last half in 54.5 and quarter, three wide, in 27.5.

“There wasn’t another horse in the race that could have done that and he’s fitter this time. He hasn’t drawn so well for a long time and it all looks good for him.

“I’m sure he’ll go a big race, very rarely is he out of first or second.”

Impressive reading

Copy That’s stats for 2200 metres make impressive reading.

Ignoring his first five starts when he was still galloping and learning what to do, in 23 starts over the sprint trip, he has racked up 15 wins, five seconds, two thirds and a fourth.

Drill down even further, and eliminate the standing start races, and you’ll discover from 15 starts he boasts 11 wins, two seconds, one in the Rising Sun in Queensland, one third and a fourth, in the Victoria Cup.

All that said, Green acknowledges it would be folly to dismiss his rivals completely.

“These are the best horses around, there are none better, and you don’t just slay them.”

But with main rival Old Town Road drawn seven and Akuta eight, Green says they will have to turn in exceptional performances to beat Copy That.

And while he had a lot of respect for Self Assured, the only time the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained pacer had finished ahead of Copy That was when he was disadvantaged in the NZ Cup start shemozzle of 2020.

Self Assured had also trialled only once after a recent setback and even Mark Purdon has declared he would be “pleasantly surprised” if either Self Assured or Akuta won given they are being aimed at The Race By Grins.

Copy That, on the other hand, looked sharp in his Pukekohe workout last Saturday, ripping home in 56.7 to beat a late-closing Old Town Road, despite locking wheels turning for home.

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.”

Race Images - Harness