Copy That (Nathan Jack) is in great nick for Saturday night at Melton.
Ray tipping Copy That as a big improver - and you can get $9 now for the New Zealand Cup
By Barry Lichter • 15 September 2022
Sectional times which Copy That ran when beaten last week only serve to boost trainer Ray Green’s confidence that his charge will bounce back at Melton on Saturday night.
Green was so pleased with how Copy That recovered after the Caduceus Classic that he is backing up the horse in the A$24,000 Gammalite Free-for-all (mobile 2240m), where he will clash with big guns Lochinvar Art and Bondi Lockdown.
But while Green has respect for that pair, he is confident Copy That will be more than competitive this time and bely his dramatic drift from $5.50 to $9 in the futures market for the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the horse,” Green said. “It wasn’t surprising he got rolled given how short he was on racing fitness and how he was used so hard early.”
Copy That was timed to run his first 200 metres in 12.53 seconds and first 400 in 26.61. His opening 800 metre time of 56.19 was even more impressive when detailed measurements showed he actually covered 812 metres, three wide to the death then the front.
Copy That’s top speed was registered at 63.19 km/hour and, despite being eased down by driver Nathan Jack when obviously beaten, he still clocked 1:53.1 for his last mile.
“It was only his second race in nine months and he was just short of a run. When you analyse it, his two workouts and trial back home were all soft - they only roared up the straight - and even in the race at Auckland they didn’t go that quick overall. It just didn’t fit him for a 1:50 mile.
“I don’t like seeing him get beaten - his detractors like it too much - but I’m confident he’ll go better on Saturday night.
“I see it as a plus that he’s drawn the second row. It keeps him out of an early burn and he’s just as effective from off the pace.
“There are a couple of other nice ones in there, Lochinvar Art is a a serious Grand Circuit horse. Obviously they’ve been having problems with him but if they’ve got him back we’re all in trouble.”
Lochinvar Art has been out of the winners’ circle in five starts since taking the Hunter Cup in February and even next fancy Bondi Lockdown has had issues since his huge second in the Chariots Of Fire when he sat parked on a 1:47.6 clip.
Green said you could also not count out promoted Interdominion winner Boncel Benjamin though he has been winless in eight starts since the December final.
“But Copy That is a topline horse and he’s in great nick so I’m expecting a big run.”
Copy That races at 10.40pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
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Near triple dead-heat shows rookie improving but Fergie tips Leo, in blinds, is Tuesday’s best
Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
