Butcher and Berger combo to shine at Cambridge

Cambridge driver Benjamin Butcher reckons he’s got some place chances at least with his book of six drives at his home track today.

“I have a few that, with a bit of luck, I think can finish in the top three, says Butcher.

“My three drives for Mike Berger are probably the ones I’ll be most looking forward to.”

Of those three, Rockafilly is the first of the Berger runners in Race four, the Watchu Security Mobile Pace. The mare most recently finished fifth when racing at Manawatu but does drop in company for this afternoon’s assignment.

“She’s been racing well and the starting draw of ten will suit her, says Butcher.

“I think she has ability to match the field well.”

In Race six, the Woodlands Stud Thanks Buyers Mobile Pace, Butcher and Berger combine with Barbarossa. The gelding is in a vein of good form scoring a win and a second at Manawatu in his previous two starts.

“He has been racing well but has a bad draw so it will be tough from out there for him, says Butcher.

“If he can get handy enough he should stick on well but the two Hollis and Robertson horses (Two Eye See and Bet West) could be hard to beat.”

Butcher’s final drive for Berger is Oceanic Art in Race seven, the Night of Champions Tickets On Sale Now Mobile Pace. The four-year-old mare most recently ran third at Manawatu after leading up before being worn down late to be beaten by Eastwood Dream by half a length.

“She’s drawn well and meets a weaker field than what she has been racing and I think she’ll be a top three chance,” says Butcher.

“I think Oceanic Art and Rockafilly are my best chances of the day.”

Of his other drives Butcher also thinks Itbetterbenow for trainer Susan Branch in Race one, the Hire A Venue At Cambridge Raceway Handicap Trot, can feature in the placings. The gelding finished fifth here on Friday after a brief gallop in the home straight.

“He steps well and has been improving with racing and I think he can feature in the first three with everything going well” says Butcher.

Butcher also drives Dreams Are Bettor in Race three, and Sonsofthemerch in Race five.

Race one gets underway at 2:14pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand