Butcher’s best of the day is Dixieland Delight

Trainer and driver David Butcher heads to Manawatu today for the first time this season with several promising each way harness racing chances including one he trains in Brookside Girl (Downbytheseaside).

The five-year-old mare starts today in the S & A Telfer Stables Mobile Pace over 2000 metres and is resuming after a lengthy spell having last raced in August last year.

“I am pretty happy with her, but she’s only had the one workout in a small heat at Cambridge leading up to this and it’s her first look at Manawatu,” says Butcher, “given the long break she’s had she’ll need the run, but she’s still a place chance today.”

Brookside Girl is a winner of two races, both at Alexandra Park, and a further six placings from just 16 starts. She starts today’s event from barrier three and appears well placed to begin her new campaign.

In the Wendy Devenport Stables Mobile Pace, Butcher is positive about the two horses trained by his son Benjamin, I Can Too (4) and Hearts And Aces (5). Butcher drives I Can Too, with Benjamin taking the reins on I Can Too.

“There’s not a lot between the two of them and I think they’ve probably been racing in slightly better company with the majority of their starts having been at Auckland,” says Butcher, “they’re both each way chances if things go their way.”

Prompting some family rivalry, Butcher’s other son Zachary also trains Enzo (1) who starts in the same race. The gelding finished third and fourth respectively at last week’s Manawatu meeting and is driven this week by Sailesh Abernethy.

The horse Butcher considers his best chance of the day is the Scott Dickson trained Dixieland Delight who contests the Alan and Trina Shutkowski Stables Mobile Pace over 2000 metres.

The Art Major mare has been in excellent form posting two wins and two seconds at Manawatu since joining the Dickson stable. Her most recent win was on Tuesday when she settled back in the field from her barrier eight draw, before rounding the field to lead over the final 1200 metres and score a comfortable win by a 1.75 length margin.

“I know they’ve been pretty happy with her this week and her form is very good heading into todaym” says Butcher, “she is up in grade today so it’s a stronger field and it’s always just that bit harder to win as they progress through the grades.”

“I think she’d be my best of the day, but the rest are all good place chances too.”

Butcher also drives Trippy Tyron – R1, Victor Bravo – R3, and Beta Prepare – R6.

Racing gets underway today at 3.16pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand