A Look at the Nz Cup Win of COPY THAT by Karrots

[Lightning Blue]

Karrots did some background of Trainer Ray Green and Copy That on their road to NZ Cup Victory yesterday. Great work Karrots.

Just re- post here as got lost amongst a bit of fun chatter by the locals on a thread and is Very well done and an appreciative acknowledgement of the win by Copy That yesterday.

 

Posted 1 hour ago (edited)

What a tale. Karrots presents - a pretend synopsis for a TV show or movie. Based on real life events. 

Young Green sets sail on a ship containing a horse he is sailing with overseas. The seas are rough & a few dramas afloat transpire.

Arriving in Ireland, the tale shows young Green quickly gaining friends & experience in his new home. Also shows him doing what young lads do, spending any spare change from work at the pub.

Upon deciding he’s done his time there, he waved goodbye to his now life long mates & returned home back to NZ.

Now an older Green, at weanling sales with wife. 1 in particular caught her eye. “His walk”, she says. “I like his walk”. Green knowing the term “happy life, happy wife”. Buys the colt later to be known as Copy That for a cheap $7k. While other buyers are buying up large, spending $100k - 200k. They are not rich people so he is affordable for them. Upon entering the stall to check him after purchase he launches at her. Quickly shutting the door. Green is thinking - oh dear, this must be why we got him so cheap.

Upon bringing him home time, & time again, he tests the patience of Green. Green is at wits end with this horse.

Now we are at his 1st start, then his next, & next to no avail. Feeling nearly beat, Green gives him 1 last chance. He wins.

Still a mischief maker on the track he heads out again, with so much head gear he looks like he could be from Mars, but by now he has started to catch the eye of some in the industry.

To a point he has an offer from an overseas buyer, but Greens wife would like to keep the horse. Green empathically telling her “honey its not realistic, we are not rich people, this money will pay off the rest of our mortgage”. So eventually Greens wife sadly relents, but a deal is bargained that Green will continue to train the horse.

A year later & he is now favourite for the NZ CUP & he is still so young as his actual birth day is 15 Nov 2016. So he is actually still 3 & 3 y-o by a later rule that will pass. Tensions are high & it is excitement plus for the popular Green as its his 1st NZ Cup runner. Cup Day arrives the crowds pour onto the course. The energy is surreal.

5 minutes out from the start, 4 mins out, 3 mins out, 2 mins out, 1 min out, GO! Copy That is denied a fair start. The crowd is in dismay. The race forums ALL alight with “sack the starter”. Some of the drivers threaten to boycott Show Day if no action is taken. Its in NZ news, headline the (Shocking start which ruled out Cup favourite Copy That).

Within 72 hours the starter of many years has been let go.

The winner was the new Star of NZ Self Assured. As Green and his team watch on as Self Assured they take the winning honours. They soon depart the South Island, feeling deflated, but not defeated.

The new star shines so bright over the next 11 months. While Copy That and Green have their ups and downs.

By now a pandemic has re-taken hold of NZ, which has been forced back into lockdown. Business as normal is replaced with a new restricted way of life. Its NZ CUP time again, Green applies for a travel pass to South but is denied.

He holds the horse in the North, having an unconventional lead-up. The critics are harsh. Writing he won’t be ready for the distance of the Cup. Many have written off his chances.

Copy That flies solo a few days prior without his trainer.

The care-taker NZ leading driver  B Orange is so careful with the horse, wrapping the horse. He & 2 of his children checking regularly on Copy That. Then the big day arrives. They are so concerned for the welfare of the horse instead of putting him into a box that day, they opt for an open stall. Oranges children staying with the horse at all times, giving him love & attention - kisses & cuddles. But nature calls & they need to use the bathroom & eat. They briefly slip off. Upon their return they are in shock horror. The horse is lying on the ground. Looks dead. They panic, running to tell the team who are nearby. He’s on the ground, motionless. Frantically the others race into his stall to check. Is he dead? With a sign of relief, an eye opens, then another eye. Then he stands himself up. Checking over him, he appears ALL ok. He was just taking an uncharacteristic nap, hours before he was about to race.

During this time, the trainer of the Star & HOT fav last years winner Self Assured + the last past 7 ish years of NZ Cup has been winning with driving win after driving win after win. People are starting to talk. Punters are starting to take action. Self Assured is plunging in the betting even more. Cutting to Green at home the confidence is starting to fade. But he still has faith in his horse.

Cutting to lining up 5 mins to go, 4 mins to go, 3 mins to go, 2 mins to go. 1 min to go. All eyes on the start. GO!

They are off, Copy That is away albeit slightly slowly, Self Assured has made a great beginning & is ahead of Copy That. But within a split second & Self Assured is blocked in by Kango who has sweep left from the outside front row, cutting him off from going forward any further & in that exact moment Orange & Copy That sail on by forward. Forward towards the lead. Infront & Orange takes 10 looks behind him during the running, looking for the Star Self Assured, where is he, when is he coming for us? Just before a lap to go he makes his move. Laver punching up in the middle to make him work just that little bit extra, making him go 3 wide around a bend. Copy That picks up the pace. The tension is HIGH. The horses are starting to feel the effects of the mammoth 3200 along the back straight the final time. They are nearing for home. They turn for home. He is clear, he starts to run up the track, They are all on tired legs over the long distance. But the its clear the cup is his. Orange salutes as they sail across the line.

They cut to an interview with the trainer Green. Who is in tears.

“Our boy did it. He did it”. Green says. The Cup will go to the North. First time in years. The audience is stunned.

Ending a long reign on the NZ CUP of the Southern champion trainers the All Stars, Green & Copy That go into the NZ racing history books.

[karrotsishere]

Update, spoke to trainer and all is well with Sweetie. So will finally add tonight this.

Yip in my opinion you would need to focus in on the personality of Green how he is a laid back person, and likeable person. Also focus on a story line of not much money. So it has a feel good factor. Perhaps add in a relationship that didn’t work out in Ireland. Would need funding of course too. Would have to add in a good relationship he made with someone there too male mateship that he regularly keeps in contact with.

Remember Phar Lap that it also focused in on the trainer and stable hand, they were not rich people and as per the film he had convinced himself that it was due to the breed etc that Phar Lap was a star. And remember he came over from NZ warts and all. And remember when they weighed him for the Melbourne Cup, the American owner was like to the handicappers the HORSE has a NAME. HIS NAME IS PHAR LAP! You can't handicap him so much. It might cripple him. The USA owner said to them in protest, to no avail. Pulls on peoples heart strings. 

And in the earlier days the wife remember snatches back her bet ticket to Phar Lap when the jockey is announced changed, she never lost faith in Phar Lap, he ended up winning that day. His first win after nothing. Similar thing, to Copy That. And also Greens wife was the person that noticed horse at weanling sales. She convinced Green to get him, based on of all things his walk hehe. And again they were not made of money. AGAIN relatable to the average person. And then focus on the mega rich buying up large. It instantly creates a likeable factor in wanting them to do well. Then the sad factor when she doesn’t want to sell. But it will pay off the mortage. This is so relatable.

Of course you have the start also. And the drama that went with it and the firing that then took place. 

And the ALL Stars factor. Always need a bad guy sorry guys. In a film or TV show for drama. Wont say bad guys but lets say an underdog here. People love that.

Then the drama with Covid and Orange kids finding the horse flat down. Asleep lol. So much drama. Backed up with win after win by Master Purdon. On top of the North not having a WIN for many years and All stars winning year after year. And last years Cup starter getting sacked and its all thru NZ news.

Throw in Covid lockdowns.

And then Green in tears after win. (The feel good, happy ending). Its def drama high. Feel good. And in my opinion would make a good tv show or movie with the right cast.

Edited November 10, 2021 by karrotsishere

[Maximus]

27 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Update, spoke to trainer and all is well with Sweetie. So will finally add tonight this.

Yip in my opinion you would need to focus in on the personality of Green how he is a laid back person, and likeable person. Also focus on a story line of not much money. So it has a feel good factor. Perhaps add in a relationship that didn’t work out in Ireland. Would need funding of course too. Would have to add in a good relationship he made with someone there too male mateship that he regularly keeps in contact with.

Remember Phar Lap that it also focused in on the trainer and stable hand, they were not rich people and as per the film he had convinced himself that it was due to the breed etc that Phar Lap was a star. And remember he came over from NZ warts and all. And remember when they weighed him for the Melbourne Cup, the American owner was like to the handicappers the HORSE has a NAME. HIS NAME IS PHAR LAP! You can't handicap him so much. It might cripple him. The USA owner said to them in protest, to no avail. Pulls on peoples heart strings. 

And in the earlier days the wife remember snatches back her bet ticket to Phar Lap when the jockey is announced changed, she never lost faith in Phar Lap, he ended up winning that day. His first win after nothing. Similar thing, to Copy That. And also Greens wife was the person that noticed horse at weanling sales. She convinced Green to get him, based on of all things his walk hehe. And again they were not made of money. AGAIN relatable to the average person. And then focus on the mega rich buying up large. It instantly creates a likeable factor in wanting them to do well. Then the sad factor when she doesn’t want to sell. But it will pay off the mortage. This is so relatable.

Of course you have the start also. And the drama that went with it and the firing that then took place. 

And the ALL Stars factor. Always need a bad guy sorry guys. In a film or TV show for drama. Wont say bad guys but lets say an underdog here. People love that.

Then the drama with Covid and Orange kids finding the horse flat down. Asleep lol. So much drama. Backed up with win after win by Master Purdon. On top of the North not having a WIN for many years and All stars winning year after year. And last years Cup starter getting sacked and its all thru NZ news.

Throw in Covid lockdowns.

And then Green in tears after win. (The feel good, happy ending). Its def drama high. Feel good. And in my opinion would make a good tv show or movie with the right cast.

copy that

[karrotsishere]

Also another thing to add before signing off for day/nite. Touch on the driver also. Have have a controversial character with a feel good role model story ending. Cover his drinking too much story. In NZ news NZ top driver tests positive for alcohol pre race meeting so is stood down.

Followed that up with self realization this is not good for him or family etc or industry all implanted into plot. 

 

[karrotsishere]

17 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Also another thing to add before signing off for day/nite. Touch on the driver also. Have have a controversial character with a feel good role model story ending. Cover his drinking too much story. In NZ news NZ top driver tests positive for alcohol pre race meeting so is stood down.

Followed that up with self realization this is not good for him or family etc or industry all implanted into plot. 

That last post to clarify has a good ending too. Incase that isn’t clear.

1 thing Cup showed me prob for 1st times the different tiers within the open class. You have the ones that have at the lower end, then those in the middle then those at the top.

OF course amazing for any horse to make OC FFA level. Elite athletes.

So who is part of that TOP small group?

For me, Copy That, Amazing Dream, Self Assured, South Coast Arden, King of Swing, Lochiv Art, and would be tempted to put Wolf Stride in (of course following his last race back he had a problem so has been put out spell).

This horses are of such closeness in ability at that top end it just depends on who gets the best trip. And the majority of the time they would be able to sit outside the rest of Open class and still win.

Now Iv figured this out no wonder Pembroke playboy was not winning rather placing. He is a touch below these horses.

Who is on others list? @Double R @Lightning Blue @Happy Sunrise @Rusty @craigos1 @richie @Dancing Show @Mike @Globederby19 @Royal Nod @Dancing Show @Trotslover

And who will make the list this time next year? Krug? On his win in Junior I could see him in this group this time next year.

 

[Happy Sunrise]

4 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

For me, Copy That, Amazing Dream, Self Assured, South Coast Arden, King of Swing, Lochiv Art,

Crystal Daytom.

[Lightning Blue]

9 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Crystal Daytom.

solid 4th. could lead to bigger things?

 

4 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

amazing for any horse to make OC FFA level. Elite athletes.

So who is part of that TOP small group?

For me, Copy That, Amazing Dream, Self Assured, South Coast Arden, King of Swing, Lochiv Art, and would be tempted to put Wolf Stride

Wolf Stride is 'off the boil' Karrots but have a solid replacement for you . EXPENSIVE EGO , a 4 year old with 18 wins from 26 starts. Is second favourite for the Interdominion to his stable-mate 'King Of Swing'  and also ran 2nd in the Miracle Mile to the 'King' earlier this year as well.

Last week at Menangle 'Expensive Ego' bolted in by 4 lengths in a scintillating  1.48.7 .  Absolutely flying. He's a real ripper. (he went 1.53 as a 2 year old in Bris) 

[Happy Sunrise]

5 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

solid 4th. could lead to bigger things?

Building to a Miracle Mile start.

[Lightning Blue]

4 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Building to a Miracle Mile start.

Which bit does he need ? the miracle part for a win ? or the mile part lol?

[Happy Sunrise]

2 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

Which bit does he need ? the miracle part for a win ? or the mile part lol?

A mile full of miracles

[Lightning Blue]

1 minute ago, Happy Sunrise said:

A mile full of miracles

She is 5 yold already (rest of field were 3 year old fillies today at Ashburton) so she should of had the 'experience edge' lol....slow learner ? or slow horse ? 

[Globederby19]

5 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Krug?

Krug, definitely. He didn't help himself with tardy beginnings and then having to chase in quick times. He showed his class last start and looks the goods. A definite open class horse with a big future. There are no Lazarus's around at the moment so its pretty even, but top order would go to Self Assured on sheer class alone . 

[Happy Sunrise]

21 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

She is 5 yold already (rest of field were 3 year old fillies today at Ashburton) so she should of had the 'experience edge' lol....slow learner ? or slow horse ? 

Also needs a big beach.

[karrotsishere]

Ok so updated list is Copy That, Amazing Dream, Self Assured, South Coast Arden, King of Swing, Lochiv Art, Expensive Ego + Krug (sometime next year).

What about the trotters? Someone might be able to help me out a bit more don't know the Aussie ones. As above in no particular order

Sundees Son, Muscle Mountain, Majestic Man, Oscar B, Bolt 4 B, (does Heavyweight Hero make list? What about any Aussie horses)?

[Lightning Blue]

21 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Building to a Miracle Mile start.

Happy Sunrise after being sold for $1/4mill in the 1980's............

Happy Sunrise had a crack at the Miracle Mile 1987 at Harold Park and ran a great 2nd to the Champion Village Kid.!!  Lightning Blue 'death-seated' 5th blah...sob......

Was bit Closer the year before 1986 as Lightning Blue left 'Village Kid' parked out ! wahoo !. (cop that ya big  V kid !!! lol  )  and beat him home too, (Village Kid 3rd)

BUT as Luck, Fate and History would tell us, bloody kiwi MASTER MOOD came popping through between them , and pinged 'Blue' right at the wire . rotten thing lol......

So it's a second for LIGHTNING BLUE and a second for HAPPY SUNRISE in the great race of all, the Miracle Mile.

[Lightning Blue]

5 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Sundees Son, Muscle Mountain, Majestic Man, Oscar B, Bolt 4 B, (does Heavyweight Hero make list? What about any Aussie horses)?

Nice line -up Karrots !!  those 5 All doing great things every year.  our best Oz probably run 6th to that lot. 

Aussie best is TOUGH MONARCH , probably struggle to beat those 5 though. He did go to NZ and placed in the DOMINION for past 2 years !! so that is pretty darn good.

He also won last week in 1.56 so still going ok. Total of 9 wins from 16 starts this year. and has won $1/2mill prizemoney, so not to shabby !!!

[Dancing Show]

20 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

What about the trotters?

I'm keen to see how Regal Attire runs tomorrow.  He just seems to be on the fringes and it may be for a good reason, he may not be able to just go that extra step, but still ...   I like the Muscle Hill and Regal Volo broodmare line with Malabar Man, with the Superbowl and Speedy Crown double up.

[karrotsishere]

Ok so updated trot list as follows including Tough Monarch, Sundees Son, Muscle Mountain, Majestic Man, Oscar B, Bolt 4 B

6 horses out of how many in Australsia make the TOP elite of elite list Trotters current.

Pace list 

 Copy That, Amazing Dream, Self Assured, South Coast Arden, King of Swing, Lochiv Art, Expensive Ego + Krug (sometime next year)

7 for the pace list, with in our opinion most probable/potential + 1 to be added next year at some stage. 

Edited November 11, 2021 by karrotsishere

[karrotsishere]

Back to story, would have to add in also personality differences too, between the ex starter & Orange. With the ex starter allegedly saying to Orange "Im going to get you". He wakes up its a dream. 

Could also touch on the after math e.g. Orange & maybe a mate re Inca chatting in pub - maybe with character J Dunn - They could also talk about D Dunn - Orange saying (good on him for going, maybe I might follow). J Dunn saying yes he's number 1 earner now or race winner (whatever it is) in USA. He won't be home in a hurry. Then saying yes with all this BS we have been thru. - Character Orange could say "you know get the feeling the then starter now (x) is out to get me. They laugh before throwing back some beer.

But the audience will see its clear they have some signs both characters in particular Orange of PTSD post Inca. And back to the 1st sentence this personality difference is played out re ex starter - conflict of interest. 

[karrotsishere]

Next up we need to decide our cast.

Who will we get to play Green? Need an older fella with lots of hair.

Could be tricky. Anyone?

[pete]

31 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Next up we need to decide our cast.

Who will we get to play Green? Need an older fella with lots of hair.

Could be tricky. Anyone?

I'm old and have lots of grey hair. Especially with this lockdown.

[karrotsishere]

33 minutes ago, pete said:

I'm old and have lots of grey hair. 

Ha excellent, Poster Pete as character Green.

Now we need Orange … Lightning, you like a beer you might fit the mould? Your an ex driver too.

[Globederby19]

On 11/12/2021 at 6:56 AM, karrotsishere said:

k so updated trot list as follows including Tough Monarch, Sundees Son, Muscle Mountain, Majestic Man, Oscar B, Bolt 4 B

Might pay to chuck in Mataderos. That was a superb effort chasing his stable mate. He is shaping up as a real threat.

[Lightning Blue]

On 11/14/2021 at 8:08 AM, karrotsishere said:

 

Now we need Orange … Lightning, you like a beer you might fit the mould? Your an ex driver too

Well another birthday this week and so getting way to old for that caper lol. Besides Mr Orange makes most others look like a 'Lemon' in their driving ability. 

And you need acting talent?. Rusty Crowe born same year as me, so far too old. How about VINNIE BENNETT ?? with a name like 'Vinnie' must be able to drive a bit.

Vinnie Knight in Victoria, won a fair few 'Big ones' in his day.    

[karrotsishere]

1 hour ago, Lightning Blue said:

Well another birthday this week and so getting way to old for that caper lol. 

How about VINNIE BENNETT ??     

Well Happy Bday for this week 🎂

Oh yes saw him in the latest movie of The Fast & Furious. Kiwi lad. He did so good too. 

Ok so Green is Poster Pete & Orange is V Bennett. Who should we do next ... Lamb? Who will play him?