Taylor Mile – Group l

Trainer Ray Green put Copy That in the same league as Australian champion King Of Swing after his courageous win in the Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park.

King Of Swing, who has swept all before him in the last 12 months, did his early racing for Lincoln Farms.

“We didn’t keep King Of Swing long enough to appreciate him but I’d put Copy That right up with him now,” Green said.

Copy That showed so much courage to win after a mid-race savaging, Green believes he can complete the double in the NZ Messenger Championship (2700m).

“It was a good, tough win,” Green said. “In the past he’s romped in. This time Maurice said he had to do a bit to get to the lead so he’s shown good resolve to hold them off.”

The early lead wasn’t there for Maurice McKendry and Copy That who took 400 metres to get past Kango and Steel The Show.

But once there, McKendry said Copy That travelled easily and, despite being attacked hard by Bad To The Bone all of 800 metres from home, drove beautifully in the very slushy conditions.

“Nobody likes sand kicked in their face – it’s got to affect some horses – so I was hoping we’d end up in front.

“But to be honest, halfway up the straight I thought he’d get rolled.”

With Bad To The Bone fighting hard and Steel The Show rallying up the passing lane, Copy That had to really man up, which he did, clocking fabulous closing sectionals of 55.3 and 26.7 in the boggy ground for an overall time of 1:54.5.

“He’s a serious horse, the best I’ve had by a mile.” Green said. “He’s so consistent and handles any situation. Most of his wins have been off the front but he’s just as potent from off the pace.

“People make the mistake of thinking he’s just a sprinter but you saw the Auckland Cup, he was parked most of the way over 3200 metres and it didn’t worry him.”