CopyThatcanwinCupfrombehind,trainerinsists

• Published date: 26 May 2023
• Publication title: Sports Tab

The $2million earner clashes with arch rival Self Assured in the race and usually — not all the time, but usually — when Copy That gets in front of Self Assured he beats him

Both his New Zealand Cup wins came under those circumstances when Copy That started from barrier 8, stayed out of trouble wide early and worked his way to the front, unable to be run down.

He has also led to win a Race By Grins and this season’s Ballarat Cup and many of his earlier career Group 1s came when he led, so his record in front is imposing.

Ironically, when he last raced in the Messenger on April 28 he led early, but driver Blair Orange chose to relent to Self Assured when he challenged at the 1800m after Copy That had endured some hard runs in previous weeks and as it turned out, once Self Assured got in front of him there was no stopping him either.

There is so little between the pair if either leads this Cup they would become the horse to beat, but there were fighting words from rival trainer Arna Donnelly, who says last Friday’s Roy Purdon Memorial winner Kango may he asked to stay in front if he finds the lead.

‘‘I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened either,’’ Green admitted.

‘‘Kango is at the top of his game and I could see David staying in front but that wouldn’t worry me.

‘‘I think our horse will be just as potent coming from off the speed and the only place I don’t want to see him is parked.’’

All of that may come down to standing-start manners early and that early scramble has lots of possibilities, with Kango, Heza Sport and Copy...