Champion big race driver Anthony Butt hopes the new string to Copy That's bow can slingshot the Auckland pacer to victory in Australia's new glamour race.
The A$250,000 Rising Sun at Albion Park in Brisbane has arrived on the harness racing scene with a boom, attracting the likes of Krug, Copy That, Amazing Dream and Miracle Mile runner-up Expensive Ego for its first running.
"It is pretty exciting, when you think this race didn't exist until now," says Butt, the Kiwi now domiciled in Victoria who has won almost every major race in Australasia.
Butt is in position to judge the merits of the two key Kiwi contenders as he drove Krug to victory in the Redcliffe Derby two weeks ago and then Copy That to roar home from last in the Wondai's Mate on this track last Saturday.
The vast majority of Copy That's wins have come when he was able to lead, common in age group stars as they so often dominate and secure the front, but his brilliant finish last Saturday has convinced Butt he can win even coming from the outside of the second line over 2138m tomorrow.