Reformed bad boy Copy That pulls at Deb’s heart strings as Merv’s cheque book comes out

The photograph above only tells half the story as Debbie Green and Merv Butterworth celebrate Copy That’s commanding win at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Even before the heavily punted colt swished up the passing lane and put the Metalcraft Pace to bed in a few strides there were a few tears welling in Green’s eyes.

For Green, wife of Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green, knew another good performance by her little hero would almost certainly see him sold to the Australian owner.

“I don’t really want to sell him,’’ Debbie Green said as she bunkered down alone in Lincoln Farms’ hospitality room to watch the finale.

And afterwards, when the speeches and handshakes were done and the first round of drinks knocked back, Ray Green gave an insight into just what an impact the sale would have.

“This will pay off our mortgage but Debbie will be crying for a month,’’ said Green recalling the effect selling another American Ideal colt Hard Copy had on his wife seven years ago. (The fact he went on to win nearly $1.3 million had only a little to do with it)

Even Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street had seen the time Debbie put into turning Copy That from the horse everyone swore at to one everyone wanted to back.

“Deb doesn’t get many kudos but she’s been frustrated as much as Ray and put a lot of effort into this animal,’’ Street said.

As far back as last December, when Copy That was showing ability on the training track, in between sudden gallops, he was also testing his handlers off it, twice escaping and running loose.

“There were times I’d gladly have taken $10,000 for him,’’ said Ray Green. “But he’s always had real speed and it’s just taken him a little time to get him tractable.’’

You only have to look at some of the headlines Copy That has made on this website to get an idea of the rollercoaster ride the Greens have endured:

Trainer Ray Green was been continually trying new gear on Copy That.December 18: Once Copy That gets his head around it all he’ll be a gun all right.

December 22: Zac: Manners far from Ideal yet but this colt can run. Copy That.

May 4: With all that gear on Copy That looks like he’s from Mars but could he be a shooting star?

May 19: Pukekohe workout pointers: Lincoln Farms’ team bring their A game - even the bad boy.

May 23: He’s one risky animal but the day Copy That behaves himself we’ll see something special.

Butterworth, building a sizeable team at Lincoln Farms during this time, was all the while keeping a watch on Copy That’s progress.

On only his second visit to Lincoln Farms’ showplace Pukekohe farm Butterworth recalls being told by Green that he’d already knocked back sizeable offers for Copy That.

Copy That and Zachary Butcher .. a deadly combination. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.“I didn’t know Ray that well then and wondered if he was a car salesman.

“But I thought Copy That was an exciting horse. I remember the night he went 20 lengths in front I thought ‘if he wins this he’ll be a super horse.’

Pending the horse passing a vet check on Monday, Butterworth says he’s thrilled to buy Copy That.

“I think he’s got potential and with a little luck he’ll get into the big races and give Mark Purdon a fright.’’

Butterworth gave Debbie Green something to smile about when he confirmed he was happy to have the horse continue to race from the stable.

“I’ll pretend he’s still mine,’’ she said. “But this is the last one you’re getting off us,’’ Green joked.

“And I have his half brother at home who’s a nice colt.’’

Just like Copy That who cost only $7000, his younger half brother was a $3000 weanling buy last month.

“We only buy the cheapies and I had to sneak off the farm to buy him. Ray didn’t even know I was gone.’’

But with only just over $3000 from their GST money Green could afford only one bid and was praying for the auctioneer to drop the hammer after she put her hand up.

Ray Green remembers checking out Copy That at the sale ground where the vendors had him “barricaded in to his stall as he kept trying to jump out. I think that’s why we got him so cheaply.’’

Copy That is all on his lonesome at Alexandra Park on Friday night after a copybook drive by Zachary Butcher. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Whatever it was that was making the horse misbehave continued into his yearling and two-year-old preparation but throughout it all, Debbie Green says she never lost faith.

“I believed he was a great little horse and every time he galloped or played up I’d think ‘why are you doing this’?

“I just kept looking forward to the day when he’d start doing what we knew he could.’’

That day arrived earlier this month when Copy That skied to a seven and a half length win at the Park and it replayed on Friday night when, expertly handled by Zachary Butcher, he repeated the dose.

Slotted into an early trail behind pacemaker Rubens by Butcher, Copy That never put a foot wrong. And while commentator Aaron White started fearing for the $1.40 favourite as he was held up on the home turn and All Yours and Happy Place got momentum up wide out, as soon as the colt hit the passing lane it was game over.

In just a few nippy strides the one time troublemaker sprinted three lengths clear with Butcher sitting quiet in the cart all the way home, only moving to pull the plugs 75 metres out when Copy That started buttoning off as if to say ‘the job’s done’. Copy That.