Ants is a great chance to Reign Supreme at Melton

The irony will not be lost on champion harness racing reinsman Anthony Butt should he salute on Joe Pace-trained Supreme Dominator (Bettor’s Delight) in the Golden Reign Free For All at Melton on Saturday night (Apr. 19).

Butt and the grand New Zealand mare Blossom Lady did battle with Golden Reign in several of the most memorable races in the modern era.

Two in particular spring to mind.

The legendary Gordon Rothacker cited the 1995 A G Hunter Cup as “the best race I’ve seen” as Blossom Lady crossed the line ahead of Master Musician and Golden Reign.

Again when partnering Blossom Lady, Butt considers himself fortunate to have a “front seat view” of Golden Reign’s stunning win in the 1995 Inter Dominion Grand Final in Christchurch.

“Golden Reign’s was just a magnificent performance against so many top horses in Christchurch,” Butt said.

Butt said Supreme Dominator is a winning chance with the race run to suit.

“I’ve only driven the horse once and that night we got caught in the death, but he is capable of peeling off a good speed and getting home,” he said.

“In this class they can all win and it’s just whichever horse gets the right run.”

Later in the night, Butt and Pace join forces with the talented four-year-old Justalittlesip – a winner of three of his past four starts – in the Benstud Standardbreds Pace.

“He is flying at the moment. I drove him last start at Melton when he was three back the fence and swamped them late, and he is versatile enough to lead from the good draw,” he said.

Butt also takes the reins behind three live chances for his partner Sonya Smith, including recent stable addition Hammers Law who is aiming for a hat-trick of wins at headquarters in the Hip Pocket Workwear Trot.

“His last three runs have been good, and we’ll follow them through from the back row and hopefully land in a good position,” he said.

Butt indicated the well-travelled nine-year-old could head north for the Brisbane winter carnival.

“I’m going up to drive Harry Stamper in the big races and there are some standing start trots which should suit Hammers Law,” he said.

The Smith-trained mare Younggiftedandblack is backing up from a narrow defeat at Ballarat on Wednesday night in a slick mile rate.

“This mare has been a bit of a revelation of late,” he said.

“We’ve changed tack with her and since I’ve started driving her tougher, the better she has gone. She lacks a bit of high speed, but if we can find the lead and run along it will suit her.”

Butt rounds off the meeting when he partners Stir Me Up, who was an unlucky third behind Letsgobro in the E K Bray Country Clubs Final at his previous start.

“He’s a lovely old horse who got pushed back behind a tiring horse down the back and got out when it was all over,” Butt said.

“He’s got good gate speed and it’s a bit of step down from his last run.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria