
Copy That (Andrew Drake) after his warm-up workout at Pukekohe last Saturday.
Trevor and fellow slot-holders grinning over landing Copy That for The Race that matters
Everyone will be watching Copy That’s return to the track at Auckland on Friday night but no one with more interest than high profile owner Trevor Casey and his fellow slot-holders.
In just five weeks, the champion will be carrying their hopes in the $1 million The Race By Grins at Cambridge, after Casey came to a deal with his good friends, Copy That’s owners Merv and Meg Butterworth.
Casey, who owns the slot along with IRT boss Richard Cole, Glenn Holland, Stephen Hunt, Summit Bloodstock and Aaron Bain Racing, stood in for the Butterworths in the celebrations at Addington in 2021 when Copy That won his first New Zealand Trotting Cup and Covid protocols prevented owners from being on course.
And after accepting other trophies for the Melbourne couple at Auckland, Casey now has the chance to share in any spoils from Copy That’s performance in the 2200 metre Cambridge feature on April 14.
Trevor Casey with dual Miracle Mile runner-up Spirit Of St Louis last Saturday. The horse gives him runners in two $1 million races on April 14.Casey will have a long and exciting day also having a runner in Perth’s $1 million Nullabor slot race the same night - dual Miracle Mile runner-up Spirit Of St Louis whom he bred and still co-owns.
Copy That is the fifth confirmed starter for The Race, after Australian Better Eclipse, Old Town Road, Self Assured and Akuta were declared earlier, leaving five slot-holders still to finalise their runners.
Friday night’s match-up between Copy That and Akuta will heighten anticipation for the Race, but trainer Ray Green said the Lincoln Farms’ Founders Cup (mobile 1700m) was a mere stepping stone.
“Our main mission is the $1 million that’s up for grabs and that’s two more starts away. This race and the next are basically designed to fit him for The Race.
“I think he’ll go well and if we can win it, we certainly will, we’re trying to win, but I’m not expecting him to be on top of his game yet.”
Green, however, cautioned those mistakenly thinking Copy That was coming back from a spell.
“He raced little more than a month ago and had only a week off after he got home from Victoria. People shouldn’t be thinking he’s just kicking off, he’s pretty sharp.”
Copy That’s last start, in the Hunter Cup on March 4, was a non-event, Green said, after the horse choked down and was pulled out of the race.
In his previous start he donkey-licked a hot Ballarat Cup field over 2710 metres.
Sponsor Richard Cole, second from left, presented the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup to Merv and Meg Butterworth last November but next month will share any of Copy That’s winnings from The Race as one of the slot-holders. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.Akuta had not raced for three months, since winning the New Zealand Derby on December 4, so didn’t have race fitness on his side.
“I’m sure Akuta is very good and we won’t be taking him cheaply. But I think he’s got a long way to go to catch Copy That - he hasn’t won $1.5 million yet. And, predominantly, he’s been racing against age group horses.”
In four starts against the open class horses, Akuta has:
* Run fourth to Self Assured over 1700 metres at Auckland
* Won the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru
* Run third in the Kaikoura Cup and
* Finished fourth to Copy That in the New Zealand Cup.
“They’re talking up Akuta like Lazarus. He could be, who knows? But he’s not a known entity at the top level yet.”
Akuta hasn’t raced since winning the New Zealand Derby on December 4. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.TAB bookies signalled their preference for Friday’s race, opening the market with a surprising clear leaning towards Akuta.
The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Akuta opened at $1.80 and was quickly backed in to $1.70, with Copy That second fancy at $2.30.
Green said he guessed the ratings were a result of Akuta just shading Copy That (by a neck) in last Saturday’s workout at Pukekohe.
“But I wouldn’t read too much into that trial at all. Both horses were just there for a run around and neither was asked to step it out. They weren’t racing, they just sprinted up the straight and both appeared to be under a hold.”
Green said Copy That, whose plugs were not pulled, had been beaten in plenty of trials at Pukekohe before, a couple of times by the much lower rated Chimichurri.
Green said he would be issuing driver Maurice McKendry no instructions.
“Small fields like this are always tricky, whatever leads usually tries to walk them and sprint up the straight.
“It won’t worry me how Maurice wants to play it. He’ll decide when the gate leaves and assess it from there. That’s his job and he knows the horse well.”
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Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

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.”