Kiwi pacer ready to show Aussies his best

PROMINENT Victorian couple Meg and Merv Butterworth are confident of enjoying a better rate of success with their star Kiwi pacer Copy That than what they experienced during his previous Australian campaigns.

Making the trek across the Tasman in December 2021, Copy That fractured a splint bone in a hind leg after kicking a fence, which saw him sidelined for five months.

Returning for a short raid in September/October 2022, Copy That was triumphant in one of his four Australian starts but was luckless for the most part of the trip.

Recapturing his best on the Shaky Isles, the Ray Green-trained stallion boasts four wins and a second from his last five outings, with his victories including the New Zealand and Summer Cups.

As for his latest shot at Aussie riches, Copy That is engaged in Saturday night's Group One Ballarat Cup.

To be driven by Blaire Orange, the son of American Ideal has drawn barrier five, but slots into four with the removal of the emergency.

TAB Fixed Odds have Copy That vying for favouritism at $4, with last weekend's Shepparton Cup winner, Cranbourne, heading the market at $3.90 from gate three.

"It's a nice barrier draw and if he has a bit of luck he will be very hard to beat," Merv said. "He has come over in brilliant condition and has settled in perfectly at Yabby Farms.

"Everything is on target for him to show his best here and we expect a good run from him."

All going to plan Copy That will then contest the A G Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 4 before heading back to New Zealand.

"He is only here for the two races," Merv said. "After the Hunter Cup he will go home for a freshen-up then we'll see what's around for him."