New Zealand Cup winner steals an Aussie Group One

New Zealand Cup winner Copy That (American Ideal) has toyed with his opposition tonight (Jan. 21) when winning the $150,000 Ballarat Pacing Cup (Gr1) in the hands of harness racing driver Blair Orange.

Copy That was quick off the mobile gate and sent straight to the front by Orange in the early stages of a race devoid of attackers. After dominating in the lead Orange who had a handful of Copy That, let the brakes off in the straight and he and cruised down to the line in first gear with plenty of petrol left in the tank.

Honolua Bay finished quickly for second with former kiwi pacer Triple Eight battling well for third.

The win will be a tonic for trainer Ray Green who is still recovering at home after being kicked by a horse last November. Stable foreman Andrew Drake has been campaigning New Zealand’s best pacer in Victoria.

THAT’S A CHAMP!
Two-time NZ Cup champ Copy That leads all the way to score in the PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup for Ray Green and Blair Orange, winning ahead of Triple Eight and Honolua Bay.
Terrific TAB Summer of Glory moment, bring on the Feb 4 Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup. pic.twitter.com/iyb4vCXCC3

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 21, 2023

Copy That ran the 2710m mobile in a mile rate of 1:56.3 with a closing 800m in 56.1 seconds.

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media