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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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday night at Cambridge
Race 6: Commander Lincoln
7.37pm
“He finished on well in the amateur drivers’ race last time but this will be a lot tougher for him. From two he should get a good trip and we’ll just hope for some milk money.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
7.37pm
“She’s surprised me, she’s developed into a better horse than I expected and is racing really well. She showed good gate speed to lead from six last time so it should be more of the same from three. It’s a better field this time but the 1700 metres will suit her and so will Todd Mitchell.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.27pm
“Pulling that flat tyre last time definitely would have made it harder for him so it was a good effort to run a close fourth. He’ll get his chance from the inside draw.”
Race 2: Obadiah Dragon
6.27pm
“He could be our best of the night. He’s been going good races all along and has just got back a bit too far in some of them. He closed very well last week and gets a better draw this time.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
6.27pm
“He got blown out of it last time with two checks, which was so annoying when he was in the one-one. Prior to that he’d hardly ever missed a cheque. He has a tricky draw to overcome.”
Race 4: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“Last week he showed he’s up with the nice three-year-olds. He’d have to beat this lot to really stamp himself but I’m hoping he can pick up some of the money. On paper, barrier four gives him an advantage on the favourites.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.20pm
“He was very wide most of the way last time and was closing better than anything in the race. He trialled well last week. He’s coming to it and getting stronger as he matures.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
8.20pm
“The outside draw makes it very difficult for him but he’s a good little horse who is getting stronger all the time.”
