Northern Copy backed to beat Broad Reach

Press, 27 June 1987, Page 32

Northern Copy backed to beat Broad Reach

NZPA-AAP Brisbane The Victorian sprinter, Northern Copy, has been extensively backed, by a mystery cash punter, to beat Sydney sensation, Broad Reach, in the $NZ278,000 Rothman’s 100,000 (1350 m at Doomben a week from today. The puqter put the bet on with leading Sydney doubles bookmaker Bill Hurley at Wednesday’s Canterbury races and coupled . Northern Copy, with four runners in the Fourex Cup (2200 m at Doomben on July ,11. Hurley, one of Australia’s biggest doubles bookmakers, wrote three tickets for $lOO,OOO and one for $70,000. The punter, who was unknown to Sydney bookmakers, outlayed $2OOO in notes coupling Northern Copy, a 12-1 Rothman’s chance, with Playful Princess, Cool Deal, El Vaquera and Dinky Flyer.

Northern Copy, a three-year-old, produced a brilliant Rothman’s 100,000 trial when he stormed home for fifth, less than two lengths from Broad Reach, in last week’s Tourist Minister’s Cup (1350 m at Doomben.

The Cranbourne-trained sprinter had previously scored an easy win on a heavy track in the Great Western Plate (1200 m at Morphettville on May 18. Despite the sustained betting on Northern Copy, bookmakers still predict Broad Reach will start one of the shortest priced favourites in the Rothman’s sprint in years.

The Melbourne doubles bookmaker Jack Cole also has been hit by Broad Reach punters. “Every second bet we are writing is on Broad Reach," a spokesman for Cole said. “We anticipate he will be 6-4 favourite by raceday.”