Australia: He's a Copy Boy has improved at a middle distance

Longer sprints and a race at 1 1/16 miles have changed the career of He’s a Copy Boy, a leading contender in a one-mile handicap at Taree Racecourse in Australia on Sunday evening.

He’s a Copy Boy was beaten in his first six starts at distances ranging from five furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. The best he did in that span was a third at 6 1/2 furlongs on March 7, which proved to be foreshadowing for his next two starts.

He’s a Copy Boy won a seven-furlong maiden race at Taree on April 1 against 12 opponents, and followed with a debut victory against winners in a handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Grafton Racecourse on April 18 against 14 rivals.

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At Taree, He’s a Copy Boy is part of a field of eight in the second of seven races on a program that begins at 10:40 p.m. Eastern or 7:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

A closer, He’s a Copy Boy will be ridden for the first time by apprentice jockey Courtney Bellamy, and will carry 127.8 pounds. Bellamy’s apprentice claim reduces the assignment by nearly seven pounds.

He’s a Copy Boy will be joined at the back of the field by expected favorite Gold Merchant, a winner of 2 of 5 starts.

Gold Merchant won a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles in his third start in January, but finished seventh of 12 in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Armidale a month later. Rested for nearly three months, Gold Merchant returned to win a one-mile handicap at Coffs Harbour on May 5, closing from seventh in a field of eight to take the lead in the final strides.

Gold Merchant will carry 134.4 pounds at Taree, slightly less than topweight Call Me Artie at 135.5 pounds.

Call Me Artie has won 4 of 40 starts and is winless in his last 10 starts since a one-mile handicap at Taree last June.

Call Me Artie was third by 2 1/2 lengths in a one-mile handicap at Sapphire Coast at a mile on May 7, setting the early pace before fading. The running style was an exception to Call Me Artie’s typical method of racing from the back of the field.

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