Butt gets first pacing Group One

Woodend harness racing trainer Bob Butt’s stocks continue to rise when Callie’s Delight (Bettor’s Delight) won the $90,000 Fahey Fencing Hire New Zealand Breeders Stakes at Addington tonight (Feb. 10), giving him  his first Group One pacing win.

Driver Blair Orange slotted the seven year old mare into the perfect trip behind pacemaker Lady Of The Light (Bettor’s Delight) who took Callie’s Delight to the passing lane in the home straight. She won by a head with Lady of the Light fighting back strongly for second and southerner Joes Rock (Racing Hill) making up good ground for third.

CALLIE”S DELIGHT REPLAY

The winning time was 3-10.0. 

“She’s always been knocking on the door and tonight she got the luck and it all worked out perfectly,” Butt said.

It was a well deserved reward for Callie’s Delight because she had finished third in last year’s Group One Breeders Stakes behind Better Talk Art (Bettor’s Delight) and third in the Group One Queen Of Hearts in Auckland in 2020.

Butt’s other runner Manhattan (Bettor’s Delight) ran fifth, finishing just over three lengths from the winner.

“Coming round the last bend I stopped watching her to be honest but everyone I’ve talked to said she went super.”

Owned by the Callie O’Malley Syndicate the group have already secured her yearling half sister Star From Heaven (Rock N Roll Heaven) from Alabar Stud. 

The syndicate also owns a half brother, Rocky O’Malley (Rock N Roll Heaven), an unraced three year old.

“Matty Williamson’s got the three year old. The yearling we bought at the weanling sales last year bowls around quite nice.”

Butt’s only other win at this level was with trotter Heavyweight Hero (Muscle Mass) in the 2020 New Zealand Trotting FFA.

Butt is presently unable to drive because he’s suffering from back issues.

“I’ve seen the surgeon and I just need to get an MRI scan so they can see what exactly they have to do. I miss the driving but it’s not the end of the world. I’m lucky I’ve got great staff.”

Butt said Callie’s Delight will be freshened up and will race over the winter.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink