Ray’s prediction: If Copy That behaves, he’ll have way too much speed for them on Friday

Only one thing can beat Copy That at Auckland on Friday night - himself.

“If he does everything right he’ll have way too much speed for them and be far too good,’’ says trainer Ray Green.

It’s impossible to argue with Green after the sometimes erratic colt annihilated his opposition last start, clearing out to win by seven and a half lengths at Alexandra Park.

None of the six rivals he meets in race seven on Friday night have shown anywhere near that ability and from three on the gate, Copy That should simply find the early lead and control the race.

When Copy That trialled at Pukekohe last Saturday, we saw none of the antics which punctuated his early education when for several months his penchant for galloping at virtually the same spot drove Green mad.

“He seems to be behaving himself much better now and he went very well on Saturday. That was left-handed but it shouldn’t make any difference.’’

Against six rivals on a slushy track, Copy That was untroubled to score over 2050 metres, powering home from second last, a couple of rough strides in the last 50 metres his only blemish.

“He could beat himself but the others don’t look capable of it. And he could probably rough it a bit too while all our others are going to need good trips.’’

Perfect Stride, Chicago Bull’s little brother, was huge winning on debut. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.Replacement driver Andre Poutama will definitely be looking for some cover for Perfect Stride in the opening race on Friday night.

He has only five rivals but it’s the one who Perfect Stride’s regular pilot Zachary Butcher sits behind, Zeuss Bromac, who will pose the biggest threat.

Two weeks ago Butcher sent Perfect Stride on a real mid-race mission round the field, clocking a blistering first half in 58.4, easily the fastest in the race, and unsuccessfully had a crack for the top.

The colt was under pressure 400 metres from home and crossed the line in seventh place, 15 lengths from winner Bit Of A Tiger, who had fought off his challenge a lap out.

“In spite of having a tough trip I thought he was gone a long way from home,’’ says Green.

“That was his second tough run in a row so hopefully it hasn’t set us back.’’

Green instructed driver Andrew Drake to give Perfect Stride a quiet workout last Saturday and he did just that, letting the two-year-old cruise round three deep on the markers in the heat won by Copy That.

There were no gaps for Perfect Stride when Drake hooked him off the markers turning for home and, though he beat only one home, he went to the line hard held on the backs of his rivals.

Zeuss Bromac … promising two-year-old heading towards the Breeders Crown in Australia.Green says he has no way of comparing the relative talents of Perfect Stride and Zeuss Bromac, the first horse Butcher has trained.

“They’re both nice colts but Zac’s one ran third at the Jewels (in only his second start) so that’s huge testimony to his ability.

“I’m picking in a six horse field on Friday they’ll walk and sprint home so hopefully Perfect Stride can get a trip and we’ll see what we’ve got.’’

Green always knows what he’s got with Just Wing It who goes round in the third race, the first of three runners on the night for Australian Merv Butterworth.

“He’s as honest as they come,’’ says Green. “And with the right trip he could get them, but we know he’ll try and he’s always around the money.’’

Just Wing It has drawn nicely in two in the field of five so should get a far more economical run than last time when he was three wide for the last 1100 metres and still battled bravely for third to Bit Of A Tiger and Young Conqueror in 2:42.8.

The Empress … showed her toughness sitting parked most of the way in this win. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.Best winning chance

Butterworth’s best winning chance will be The Empress in the fourth race.

The former southern filly was huge two weeks ago in just her second look at the Park, sitting parked for the last 1700 metres and still holding Miracle Moose by half a length in 2:44.3.

“She’s no superstar but she’s a good, honest filly and I wouldn’t be surprised if she won again,’’ says Green.

“She’s in the zone and faces the same sort of field she beat last time.’’

The Empress again looked good at the workouts last Saturday, leading all the way over 2500 metres and just staving off the promising Tony Herlihy-trained Blazen River.

Green says it’s all about the start with The Bull Pen in the fifth race, the Winter Cup, because the veteran of 33 starts has yet to see the tapes on racenight.

“We’ve given him some practice at home and he’s a bit of an ignorant pig so he could be a trick at the start on Friday.

“But I think if he’s pointing in the right direction, he’ll pace. It will be a learning curve for him but he has to adapt to it as there will be plenty of standing starts in the next few months.

“He only has to step and get handy and they’ll know he’s there. He’ll definitely be competitive in that field.’’

With the early scratchings of Baquero and Check In, the only one to beat The Bull Pen home last week, he has only six rivals.