Four X-rays taken over the last eight weeks show excellent healing. In the second X-ray a callus of new bone starts forming at the edge of the fracture and in the latest, the fracture lines are less visible, indicating more advanced healing.
X-rays reveal Copy That’s fracture continues to heal well and he’s started walking rehab
By Barry Lichter • 4 March 2022
X-rays show Copy That is making an excellent recovery from injury but trainer Ray Green says he won’t be ready in time to contest the Queensland winter carnival in July.
Instead, Green and owner Merv Butterworth will focus on a campaign aimed at defending his New Zealand Trotting Cup crown in November.
Copy That has been at Laura Dixon’s Dowling View rehabilitation centre near Ballarat in Victoria since fracturing a splint bone in his off hind leg last December and a fourth round of X-rays have revealed what Green calls “spectacular” healing.
While the fracture lines have not completely disappeared in the X-rays, Ballarat Veterinary Practice’s Dr Brian Anderson reported further good progress in the month since his previous X-ray.
“There is a hard bony callus but it does not appear to overly compress the suspensory ligament and this was confirmed with ultrasound.
“We are on track to achieve our goal of full healing of the fracture without the formation of an excessive bony lump which could interfere with the suspensory ligament and result in persistent pain and lameness.”
When examined, Copy That was “full of himself” and not lame in either a straight line or circle trot.
And he has now started the first stage of his rehab - walking on a treadmill.
Anderson prescribed walking for five minutes twice daily for the first week, followed by a week of 10 minutes twice daily then 15 minutes twice daily for two weeks.
Anderson said he anticipated Copy That would be fit to fly back to New Zealand towards the end of April.
“If there has been complete healing, he may then be able to go back into work.”
Green, who arrived home on Wednesday after two months stuck in Australia because of a lack of MIQ space, had hoped Copy That would be able to return to work a month earlier so he had time to get fit for Brisbane where he raced so well last July.
“I thought he’d be good to go by the end of this month but the Ballarat vet said maybe give him another month after that.
“The New Zealand Cup becomes the obvious target now and he’ll have plenty of time for a couple of lead-up races. After that, the sky’s the limit.”
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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.”
