Command performance by White runner

Commander Ben (Art Major) appreciated the drop in class when he proved too classy for eight rivals in the Peter’s Genetics Roxburgh Cup at the annual Roxburgh harness racing meeting today.

It was a race with a few lead changes, but driver Kimberly Butt expertly positioned Commander Ben in the right places to give him a winning chance.

Turning in, the five year old came off Tempo Warrior’s back and was too strong in the home straight. He won by two and a quarter lengths from a game Tempo Warrior.

“There was good tempo. Kirstin (Kirstin Green driver of Bobbies Rock) may have said on her Facebook page that she was going to be pretty positive with her horse. That set up genuine early to mid race speed. He got off at the right time with Kim working that out a treat,” said co-trainer Tim White who trains Commander Ben with his father Brent.

COMMANDER BEN REPLAY

The winning time was 3-24.9, well outside the race record of 3-19.5 held by Bettor’s Tart, the 2023 cup winner which was also trained by the Whites and driven by Kimberly.

“It was a nice drop back for him and he deserves it as much as any horse.”

Commander Ben is likely to run in Monday’s Cromwell Cup.

“At this stage he will. We’ll just see how he is in the next twenty four hours. I guess he’ll get re-handicapped.”

Commander Ben is owned by good stable client Wendy Nordqvist and the win was the five year olds eighth, but the first time Butt has driven him to win.

“Wendy was using a couple of different drivers. Now she’s made the call to stick with Kim as much as possible. It’s good to get some reward for that.”

Commander Ben, before heading to the White stable was trained by Katie Cox and Kevin Fairbairn and it took twenty starts before he cleared maiden company.

“He came to us and the race that turned a corner for him was when he ran third on Show Day (2023 behind We Walk By Faith and Fernetti). He’s taken off from that point, has got better and better and now he’s just a wee tradesman really.”

One target for Commander Ben will be the Southern Country Cups Final at Ascot Park in April.

“It’s a great stake and I’d say he’d love the Invercargill track by the way he got round Roxburgh today.”

The win was the second on the Roxburgh card for Brent, Tim and Kimberly, with three year old filly One For Jay (Sweet Lou) winning the Jesco Hydraulics/Macca Lodge Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace.

“It was good for Jay (One For Jay) and good for Lex (owner Lex Williams). We’ll have to have a look at the programme now. She’ll target mainly three year old races because of her rating. We’re thinking about a Southern Oaks campaign.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink