Change of driving tactics does the trick

Anthony Butt said a change of harness racing driving tactics has been the catalyst to the improvement in Younggiftedandblack (Betting Line) who took out the HBV Matriarch Pace Final at Melton.

Sonya Smith trained Younggiftedandblack gets the job done in the feature race, HBV Amarillen Matriarch Pace Final at Melton tonight. pic.twitter.com/HgMzQ6MOXW

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 19, 2023

Rakero Rebel, the $2.10 favorite, became fired up after hitting the sulky wheel and the race was run at a slick tempo during the middle stages as Younggiftedandblack lobbed along in the one out one back trail.

Younggiftedandblack ($18) peeled off the quick tempo around the home turn and held a five metre advantage on the line from Dream Maze and Kendys Butterfly in a mile rate of 1:54.9.

“It wasn’t until we started driving her quite tough that she really turned the corner about four or five months ago,” Butt said.

“She had a tough run one night and went really well so I started driving her tough after that and she got better and better,” he said.

Butt admitted he was quietly confident during the race.

“I was really confident I was just hoping that nothing was coming from behind me as it had been such a brutally run race and it really suited my mare,” he said.

The mare, who is trained by Butt’s partner Sonya Smith, will acquit herself well in better class races according to Butt.

“She probably lacks a little bit of speed but she’s a great stayer and I think she will be one of those mares that it won’t matter how high she gets through the grades she will always follow pace,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink