X-rays show the champ Copy That 100% - New Zealand Cup here we come!
By Barry Lichter • 30 June 2022
X-rays this week have shown Copy That to be 100% recovered from his leg injury and it’s all systems go for a defence of the New Zealand Cup in November.
The way Copy That has been working, Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green hardly needed any reassurance that his flagship horse is back.
But even Green was blown away at the perfect picture of his hind leg, healing calluses on the fractured splint bone no longer visible.
Green said even Lincoln Farms’ vet Lindsay Colwell couldn’t tell now which leg had been injured.
This week’s X-ray.Owner Merv Butterworth greeted the news with great joy, noting it came virtually six months to the day since he lashed out at a fence in his paddock at Romsey in Victoria where he was based for a summer campaign.
Butterworth is looking forward to having his champ back on the racetrack, his earnings closing in on $1 million, and is pleased he has a bit more than four months to prepare for the cup on November 8.
Green expects Copy That to be trialling by the start of August.
“He’s been back in work coming up eight weeks and is looking super now. I’m really pleased with him.’’
Copy That returned home a little porky on May 5 after four and a half months in confinement at Laura Dixon’s Dowling View equine rehabilitation centre.
“But he’s in good nick now. He’s doing a bit of hoppled pacework, a quiet 2400 once or twice a week, and jogging every other day.
“He’s well on target for the New Zealand Cup, unless he has a setback.”
Copy That’s career record stands at 24 wins and 11 placings from 45 starts and a bankroll of $964,297.
He enjoyed a stellar four-year-old year, smashed his rivals in the New Zealand Cup and won 15 of his 25 races and $777,098.
Progressive X-rays of Copy That’s injury show excellent healing of the splint bone. PHOTO: Ballarat Veterinary Clinic.
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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.
