Change of plan for Copy That

by Adam Hamilton

NZ Cup hero Copy That has been given a clean bill of health, but his Aussie campaign has changed.

Owner Merv Butterworth said the superstar pacer would be a surprise runner at Ballarat on Boxing Night.

It comes off the back of a career-worst showing when tailed-out last in the Group 2 Cranbourne Cup last Saturday night.

“Everything came back fine, the blood tests, the scope, the lot,” Butterworth said.

“Horses can make humans look foolish at times.

“We just have to turn the page and move on. He’s going straight back to the races in the sprint race at Ballarat on Sunday night.”

Butterworth confirmed Chris Svanosio, who trainer Ray Green and Copy That are stable with, would take the reins again at Ballarat.

Importantly, Copy That has bounced-back quickly and impressively from a disappointment in the past.

Straight of his inglorious Harness Jewels run in June, Green turned him around to be one of the stars of the big Queensland “Constellations” Winter Carnival.

Beyond Ballarat on Boxing Night, options for Copy That include: the Shepparton Cup on January 8, Bendigo Cup (January 15) and Ballarat Cup (January 22) ahead of the Hunter Cup on February 5.