Copy That stunning in New Zealand resumption

Copy That’s (American Ideal) resumption on New Zealand shores in tonight’s (Oct. 20) harness racing action at Alexandra Park had many purists digging through the archives.

Few, if any, pacers have met the tapes with a 55m back mark over the 2200m journey at the ‘ribbon of light’ in recent times, let alone win races over the sprint trip which is notorious for tripping up highly assessed horses giving other runners a start.

Despite warnings from the Lincoln Farms camp that the handicap might be a bridge too far for the five-year-old son of American Ideal, the Ray Green-trained pacer fired a warning shot to his New Zealand Cup rivals, overcoming his archaic handicap in emphatic fashion.

Such was the statement delivered by the reigning New Zealand Cup champion, bookies firmed his quote for our greatest race from $11 into $5 after taking a $2000 bet at a $6 quote soon after the running of the seventh on the card.

Orange and Copy That could not afford to be tardy from the tapes tonight and found themselves in front of Hot and Treacherous (Captaintreacherous) soon after dispatch, despite starting 15m behind him, with the punters elect missing away before settling into his hopples.

New Zealand’s leading reinsman had his charge settled beautifully in the one out running line and was 12 lengths off the leader, Taipo (American Ideal), with a lap to run. The pair remained patient and with a slower than expected tempo, Copy That was clearly keen to be given his head 800m from home.

Ray Green had stated pre-race he would be happy to see his pacer simply running on at the finish, and Orange certainly drove to instructions, waiting until the home turn to hook out and present Copy That with one run at them.

The millionaire pacer obliged with a withering burst down the outside of the track, unwinding with a stylish last furlong to win easily in the end and make mincemeat of his opposition.

COPY THAT REPLAY

Blair Orange was smiling like a Cheshire cat after the race and while speaking to Track Chat’s Jo Stevens, explained he didn’t give his runner much chance off the massive back mark.

“Before the race, it was pretty much an impossible task if they went really fast. I obviously got in front of Hot And Treacherous and got a nice drag from Barry Purdon’s runner and he really traveled well around the corner and let down really nice.

“After driving him tonight I will be really happy come Cup time if he can improve off the back of that.

“He’s just as fast as he is tough. He’s pretty versatile and his standing start manners were great, so everything is heading in the right direction.

“It will be great to have Ray and the owners there this time and hopefully we can go back-to-back,” he said.

The win was the 26th in the career of Copy That who from just 52 starts boasts an impressive 50% wins to starts strike rate to go with his seven figures in stake money.

His winning time for the 2200m journey was trimmed up to a lightning 2:42.8 off the 55m back mark, a few seconds shy of the NZ record held by Star Galleria (Art Major).

For complete Alexandra Park results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink