Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth celebrate Copy That’s second NZ Cup win in 2022. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Wanted: The ideal home for Copy That to stand at stud - Will he go to a Kiwi or Aussie buyer?
By Barry Lichter • 9 September 2024
The hunt is on to find a new home for retired champion pacer Copy That at stud.
And, while owners Merv and Meg Butterworth have already had overtures from one New Zealand stud, the Melbourne veteran says he could see the horse ending up in Australia.
“If you search the records for New Zealand, Australia and the United States you’ll see he’s the most successful son of American Ideal and, now that he is in a paddock in the sky, Copy That is the obvious one to take his place.
“In New Zealand, buyers never seemed to pursue American Ideal’s stock at the yearling sales but in Australia he’s had a lot of winners, the most probably in Western Australia,” Merv Butterworth said.
“I’m sure a good stud would like to buy him to stand in their own name. It’s just a shame it didn’t happen a month ago at the start of the breeding season before many broodmare owners made their choices.”
Butterworth, who is in Ireland for the launch of the Traditional Irish Horse Eventing League which his company Decron Horse Care has sponsored, said when he fielded a call from Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green at 1.15am he knew it would not be good news.
“But it came as no surprise. I was always expecting it. We knew we were battling against reality.
“When your horse doesn’t have sufficient cartilage in his knee you’d be foolish to expect too much. We did everything possible, no stone was left unturned, but you can’t imitate cartilage.”
Butterworth, who has won more than 1000 races as an owner, and is used to the knocks that go with racing horses, said he didn’t make a habit of looking back too much.
But, asked what race he’ll remember as Copy That’s greatest, he said none beat his New Zealand Trotting Cup wins, especially the second one in 2022 as Covid restrictions prevented them from being at Addington the previous year.
“But the one that really stands out is the one that they stuffed up at the start”, the 2021 cup shemozzle costing Copy That any chance of being a triple cup winner.
“He won so many races, it’s all a bit of a blur, really, but he’s absolutely the best horse we’ve had. Arden Rooney wasn’t far behind him. He won a New Zealand Cup and the best race in Victoria, the Hunter Cup, but Copy That was more exciting.
“It’s very hard to get your hands on a horse like him but he had nothing left to prove. He was the people’s horse and a champion.”
Butterworth won’t be home until the end of the month by which time he hopes his next star might be in orbit. The Big Lebowski, making his own comeback from injury, showed he was ready to resume in the Spring Cup at Auckland on Friday week when winning his first workout back last Thursday.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
