Ray Green looking over Copy That - “you have to roll with the punches.”
Scintigraphy reveals knee injury but Copy That having X-rays now to confirm exact issue
By Barry Lichter • 3 October 2023
Trainer Ray Green is hoping X-rays will reveal the exact nature of the injury which has ruled Copy That out of the $650,000 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
Green floated Copy That to Matamata today to undergo nuclear scintigraphy after he had been “noticeably off” since last Friday.
“Originally we thought it could be an abscess, as his foot was hot, and we were trying to resolve that, but the scintigraphy lit up his knee.
“We haven’t determined the full extent of the injury yet - they’re doing X-rays as we speak.
“Maybe he did have an abscess as well but his problem is a bit more sinister than that.
“Until we get a handle on it I don’t know what his future is but he won’t be in the New Zealand Cup and it’s going to be six months before he’s a racehorse again.”
Green said if the injury was a stress fracture it could be very hard to detect - “but I’m stabbing in the dark a bit.”
Green said Copy That wasn’t badly lame.
“He’s a happy horse, feeling great and bouncing, and walking around he’s fine, you wouldn’t notice anything. But when he gets out of a walk he’s noticeably off.”
Green theorised Copy That might have been feeling the knee for some weeks and it could have affected his performances in his first two starts when beaten into the placings.
While obviously disappointed, Green said he’d learned to roll with the punches.
“You have to be philosophical, he can’t go on forever. He’s done a fantastic job - not many do what he’s achieved.
“But he’s overcome hurdles before - he’s come back from a broken splint bone and won two cups and The Race by Grins and a Ballarat Cup - so who knows what he can do?
“He’s capable of returning but he’s a lot older now of course.”
Copy That’s record stands at 68 starts for 33 wins, 18 placings and $2,019,401 in stakes.
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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.”
