“The world is at his feet”

Horseman Ray Green created history at Albion Park tonight becoming the first New Zealand-based trainer to win the Group 1 Garrards Sunshine Sprint in more than three decades.

The horsepower that created the special moment was Copy That who upstaged his more seasoned rivals in a nail-biting finishing but one that paid off.

The margins were that close even driver Anthony Butt was unsure if he had the $100,000 feature with the son of American Ideal.

“I was hoping I had won,” said Butt.

“I was holding them and then the last 100, they got really close and I didn’t know if I got there or not.”

The margins were a half-head by a half-head with Australia’s current top pacer King Of Swing finishing second and Rockin Marty third in a mile rate of 1:52.4.

Copy That was forced to do it tough outside the leader, Turn It Up, as they rolled through the sectionals in 27.5, 28.9, 28.5 and 27.6 seconds.

“I’m lucky he carried me through,” Butt said of Copy That.

“The world is at his feet, he’s becoming a very professional racehorse.

“It doesn’t make it any easier going into the Blacks A Fake next week . . . King Of Swing has gone massive and a few others behind him put in big runs as well.

“It will all come down to the draw again but I’m pleased to be driving him (Copy That).”

It was a memorable night for Butt and Green as they also combined to win the Changeover South East Derby with American Dealer, another son of American Ideal.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink