Copy That has South Coast Arden well covered at the finish of the Holmes DG. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
The call that put a smile on Ray’s face - long before Copy That’s dominant Holmes DG win
By Barry Lichter • 10 October 2020
Copy That’s Holmes DG triumph at Auckland showed punters he was right on track for the New Zealand Trotting Cup - but it was a phone call several hours before the race that pleased trainer Ray Green the most.
Green had been almost resigned to missing a key lead-up race at Ashburton on October 26 because the only flight south was scheduled for November 4 and he didn’t want to subject the horse to a gruelling two-day road trip.
But when cup sponsor IRT called Green to tell him a flight was now on for October 22 it made his job of preparing the horse for the $540,000 feature that much easier.
“The timing of the new flight is just perfect. It’s at mid-day, which means he can jog that morning and be in his new stable by 3pm.
“And he can now run in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and possibly the cup trial (November 4) if he needs another hitout.”
Copy That, who has slipped out to a $4.60 third favourite for the November 10 cup, was right back to his dominant best at Alexandra Park on Friday night, the win never in doubt after he looped the field to lead with just under a lap to run.
The little powerhouse sprinted clear early in the run home and at the post had a neck margin on South Coast Arden whose driver Brent Mangos had trouble activating the plugs in the run home.
Green knows the knockers will claim he should have beaten a four-win horse more easily. And he can just hear them questioning how Copy That will cope with a tough 3200 metres when he was tiring at the finish of 2700 metres just a month out?
“Yes he was getting a bit tired but I expected that. He hasn’t had to run 2700 metres for quite a long time and he’s still a bit porky.
“I can guarantee he’s not on top of his game yet - he blew up a bit after the run. When he went down to Christchurch for the Derby last year he was quite light.
Maurice McKendry brings Copy That back. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.“I can’t see how anyone could be critical of the run - he had to do a bit of work from 30 metres and he’s gone 3:18.”
Copy That’s 3:18.3 was 1.1 seconds slower than Triple Eight’s winning time last year but still represented a nippy mile rate of 1:58.1 and saw the closing splits run in 56 and 27.2. But Copy That was timed to run his last mile in a very slick 1:54.3.
Driver Maurice McKendry reported Copy That paced much more freely than when pipped in the Spring Cup at his previous start, an issue subsequently rectified by routine vet work.
“Maurice said he was a bit shaky round the first corner but after he gave him a slap on the arse he was good.
“I was toying with the idea of putting his pole back on but we tried him in a rein burr instead and that seems to have done the job.
“I’m sure he’ll be even better next time but it’s hard to weigh up the northern and southern form. We’ll find out soon enough.”
Green and owner Merv Butterworth have resolved to concentrate on the cup and won’t be asking Copy That to race again three days later in the $180,000 Free-for-all (1980m) on Show day.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
