Better’s Tart thriving on racing

Better’s Tart (Bettor’s Delight) is at present thriving on racing, and at Winton Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Central Southland Raceway today (Jan. 11) she won her third race in a row, her eighth in her career. 

A week ago she impressively won the Roxburgh Cup in the hands of Butt and backed it up nicely today, winning the $15,000 Vet South Equine Southern Belle Series over 1609 metres.

From the outside of the front row, driver Kimberly Butt went forward early but was beaten for speed by Mighthavtime which took up the role of pacemaker, leaving Better’s Tart parked. At the 600 with the speed on, Butt was able to tuck the mare back in on the running line behind Mighthavtime.

As the field turned for home she decided not to use the passing lane and got past Mighthavtime halfway down the straight, holding on to beat Joes Rock by a length and a quarter. The mile was run in 1-54.8 with the last 800 metres cut out in 56.9.

BETTER’S TART REPLAY

“Matty (Williamson) came out of the gate pretty hard and kept the foot down from then on so I wanted to give her a wee breather. I knew she was pretty tough and would keep fighting to the line. I didn’t want to panic early and hoped that Matty took the sting out of them,” Butt said, adding “She only does what she has to and had plenty left in the tank. She’s a typical Bettor’s Delight and just gets better with age.”

Better’s Tart wasn’t originally entered in the Southern Belle heat but when nominations were light trainers Brent and Tim White answered the call.

“It was in the original plan, but she had a hard trip in the Roxburgh Cup running a track record so they were going to give her a bit of extra time to get over that run. When nominations came out there was only five in it so they decided to chuck her in, and it worked out well.”

Earlier on the card Butt won on the White trained Midfrew Luisianabeau (American Ideal) who came with a late run to beat Mach Quillan by three quarters of a length.

“He’s a bit of an enigma. On his day he’s lovely but on other days he can be pretty disappointing. Today he went out there nice and relaxed and was in a really happy place. He was in the one one, got clear air and was too good up the straight.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink