Butler returns home for memorable Raider Stakes victory

Former Tasmanian harness racing trainer Kristy Butler made a triumphant return to her home state when her four-year-old gelding Cuzzy Bro stormed to victory in the Raider Stakes – Tasmanian Sires’ Stakes Final at Launceston.

The son of four-time Group 1 winner Ultimate Machete came from near last, taking full advantage of a strong trail into the race over the final lap and a half, before sweeping past odds-on favourite Do It to score emphatically by 7.4 metres.

It was a sweet homecoming for both horse and trainer, with Cuzzy Bro finishing fourth in the Sires’ Stakes as a three-year-old. Now, 12 months on from relocating to Victoria with husband Marc and their family, Butler celebrated one of her most meaningful wins yet.

“He’s only small, but he’s game and versatile,” Butler said post-race.
“We drew barrier five, and I haven’t had much luck in big races, but he got a lovely run and proved too strong in the finish.”

The win carried extra significance for Butler, who had long dreamt of adding a Sires’ Stakes title to her resume — a race made special by her grandfather Dick Eaves, who trained and drove multiple winners of the series across decades.

Cuzzy Bro will now be aimed at the Beautide in Hobart on August 2.

“It’s a step up, but he deserves a shot,” Butler said. “He’ll stay in Tassie with Rohan Hiller and I’ll fly down on race day.”

Alongside her training efforts, Butler also runs an equine therapy business, which has taken time to re-establish on the mainland.

“It was going gangbusters in Tassie, but it’s taken six months or so to really get going in Victoria — we’re in a good spot now,” she said.

History Made in the Granny Smith

Meanwhile, in the mares’ division, Swiatek Leis etched her name into the record books by becoming the first pacer of either sex to win Tasmanian Sires’ Stakes Finals at two, three and now four years of age — completing a remarkable sweep in the Granny Smith

by Gary Newton