By Michael Guerin
The scarcely believable turnaround in Copy That’s IRT New Zealand Cup defence received another boost at the barrier draw today.
And that looks certain to see him start favourite for the iconic race at Addington on Tuesday.
The northern pacer has drawn barrier 8 for the Cup, the same barrier he started from last year when he won an early drag race with Self Assured that enabled him to get the lead and eventually bolt clear.
While this year’s Cup is undoubtedly stronger you could make a case Copy That is racing even better after his wins off mammoth 55m and 70m handicaps in the last two weeks.
The front line is crammed with talent, but also no emergencies, so unless there is an unforced scratching the draws will stay as they are with Kango on the outside of the front.
While there really is no telling what may or not be a good draw in a 3200m standing start race because manners are actually the key, Copy That being out wide where he has to stand for a shorter period of time and from where in recent years horses have been getting the early momentum, looks a good thing.
While there is enormous talent inside him the respect he has earned with his recent wins and well as having Blair Orange on board, should increase his chances of getting the lead if Orange thinks that is where he is best suited.
He does have five Group 1 winners drawn inside him, with his arch rival Self Assured drawn the ace.
That often sees horses come down in price with the bookies but No.1 doesn’t tend to be kind in the Cup, where there can be a lot of stuffing around at the start, and while Self Assured’s barrier manners are better than they used to be it doesn’t look his ideal marble.
Still, it might be better than the ones handed two of the other favourites in Rock N Roll Doo (13), which means he starts from two on the second line behind another relative standing start novice in compatriot Majestic Cruiser (2).
The Team Telfer pair of B D Joe and Alta Wiseguy have had their standing start manners nullified by drawn the outside of the second line while South Coast Arden will start on the unruly as he did when he finished third last season.
The draw is as follows :
Self Assured 1
Majestic Cruiser 2
Akuta 3
Krug 4
Spankem 5
Heza Sport 6
Pembrook Playboy 7
Copy That 8
Old Town Road 9
Kango 10
Smiffy’s Terror 11
The Falcon 12
Rock N Roll Doo 13
Steel The Show 14
B D Joe 15
Alta Wiseguy 16
South Coast Arden Unruly 1
Cranbourne U2
The Falcon, Cranbourne and Steel The Show are on the ballot.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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