Butcher has some handy drives tonight

With five harness racing drives at tonight’s Cambridge meeting David Butcher thinks most can feature in the top three.

“Most of the horses I’m driving tonight have been racing well but they haven’t all drawn ideally to suit their abilities,” says Butcher, “so they’ll need some luck.”

Butcher’s first two drives of the night are for Hunterville-based trainer Scott Dickson with Tres Bonne Fille (Vincent) and Ticking Over (Changeover).

Tres Bonne Fille starts in Race 3, the Watchu, Your Security Partner In NZ Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. The maiden three-year-old Vincent filly finished fourth in her first start at Cambridge last month after being three wide over the final 600 metres.

“She went ok last start and I’m hopeful she’ll have enough speed to hold the front from the one draw as being able to roll along will suit her,” says Butcher.

“Ticking Over in Race four has drawn one the second row so will be reliant on what happens in front of him.”

In Race 5 Butcher drives Presidential Jewel (The Pres) for Morrinsville trainer Roger Villiger in the Betavet Protect Handicap Trot over 2700 metres. Butcher is confident the mare will again feature in the top three.

“She’s in the right grade, her first up run for second was good and she had a nice run at the workouts on Saturday,” says Butcher, “there are a couple of nice horses in the race so she’ll need a bit of luck on her side.”

Up next is Irish Whispers (Art Major) for local trainer Arna Donnelly who competes in Race six, the Dunstan Horse Feeds Mobile Pace. The lightly-raced gelding fought on well at his last start finishing fifth after sitting parked throughout and only 1.7 lengths from the winner Always B Stunning.

“It’s a competitive field tonight and having drawn nine he’ll be reliant on what they do in front as to the run he gets” says Butcher.

Butcher’s final drive for the night is Major Major (Art Major), also trained by Donnelly, who starts in Race 7,the Watchu Security Mobile Pace. The three-year-old gelding’s last start was in August last year and has had won two of three preparatory workouts leading up to this assignment.

“He’s been ok at workouts, but I think he’ll need the run and take improvement from it,” says Butcher.

Tonight also kicks off the Gavelhouse.com NZ Amateur Drivers Champs with Race 2 being heat one of the five race series. Cheree Wigg drives the early favourite for tonight’s race Midfrew Lucre for Hunua-based trainer Jay Abernethy.

The series moves to Addington Raceway tomorrow night before culminating at Sunday’s meeting at Addington.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand