BD wins Flying Stakes for BD

New Zealand Harness Racing’s showpiece is just around the corner and B D Joe’s (Roll With Joe) stocks are on the up with his win in the NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes at Ashburton today (Oct. 24).

Driver Ben (David) Butcher got B D Joe away perfectly from the often tricky number one draw and Pembrook Playboy with an equally good beginning, dropped in to the trail.

“He got a little bit worked up at the start, but we were able to step away quickly. It made it easy being able to dictate the terms and he was too good in the end,” Butcher said.

He said he wasn’t surprised that there was no mid race pressure.

“No, not really. The Cup’s not too far away and you want to wait for the big one.”

B D JOE REPLAY

Butcher complimented B D Joe’s trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer for the patient approach they’ve taken with the four year old.

“He was always a very nice three year old and he proved that when he won the Jewels. He’s strengthened up a lot since then. They’ve look after him and he’s got better and better and he’s been able to come into his own. Steve brought him in late and got him peaking at the right time.”

The result was a great one for the North Island with Old Town Road, driven by Zachery Butcher Ben’s brother, storming home for second to get within a neck of the winner and surely book himself a place in next month’s Cup.

The last 800 metres was run in 55.3 seconds so many of the race favourites were not able to make ground. The time also highlights the quality of Old Town Road’s run for second, as he was clocked at 54 seconds for the half.

As B D Joe and Old Town Road headed back to the birdcage the Cup banter began to crank up.

“He (Zachery) was pretty rapt with the run. He needed to run in the top three to get in the race. He’s run super to run home like that on a 54 half. Not many horses can do that. He was telling me he was going to beat me in the Cup. The talking will stop when we get there,”Ben said.

B D Joe was bred by Brent Smith of Otautau in Southland and is raced by Stonewall Stud Limited and the B D Joe Syndicate. He’s now won ten races from just twenty nine starts.

Four year olds have had a good record in the Cup with Lordship, Stanley Rio, Inky Lord, II Vicolo, Christian Cullen, Mainland Banner, Terror To Love Lazarus and Copy That all winning the Group One feature.

This year’s Cup also creates the opportunity for a father and two sons to drive in the great race. If Old Town Road gets in the top fifteen father David (Kango), and sons Ben (BD Joe) and Zachery (Old Town Road) will create history.

Ben commented, “All going well it could be a trifecta. That would be the perfect scenario, and hopefully I’ll be on top. It would be a proud moment for Dad and all of us.”

Ben (Check In) and David (Triple Eight) both drove in the 2020 New Zealand Cup.

For complete Ashburton Raceway results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink