Minor bleed leaves Copy That in some doubt

New Zealand harness racing trainer Ray Green will continue to monitor his star pacer Copy That (American Ideal) before a decision is made on his place in the Group 1 Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup later this week.

The brilliant Kiwi suffered a minor bleed during Saturday night’s Smoken Up Sprint at Tabcorp Park Melton, but stewards deemed it not serious enough to constitute an automatic stand-down period.

Green told thetrots.com.au on Sunday that Copy That appeared “pretty well”, but said he would be scoped again on Thursday before a call on his place in the Grand Circuit classic.

Copy That is currently fourth favourite for the Victoria Cup and rated as an $8 chance with the TAB.

“He seems pretty well in himself. He didn’t sort of indicate after the race that he was in trouble or anything and he’s eaten everything I’ve put in front of him,” Green said.

“We’re doing whatever we can to counter that (bleed) obviously and we will have a look at him on Thursday and make a call.

“We will keep pressing forward and see how clean he is on Thursday.”

Copy That sat parked to eventual winner Torrid Saint in Saturday night’s (Oct. 1) Smoken Up and faded late to finish fifth, beaten 6.7m.

Last year’s New Zealand Cup winner has won one of three runs during his current Victorian campaign and is booked to fly home after the Victoria Cup, regardless of the result.

There was plenty of drama out of the Smoken Up Sprint, with Aaron Dunn’s star Bondi Lockdown suffering a serious bleeding attack and subsequently stood down for three months.

The final field for next Saturday’s Victoria Cup will be revealed on Monday before the barrier draw is conducted during a live broadcast on TrotsVision from 7pm that night.

For complete race results from Melton, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV