Butt seeking further success at Addington tonight

Just days after landing her first ever driving treble, Kimberly Butt is seeking further harness racing success at Addington tonight – but knows it won’t be easy.

At Timaru on Sunday she had wins with Spirited Lou and Lester for Rakaia trainer Warren Stapleton and then capped off an already successful day by winning the last with Jazzys Upstart for her employers Brent and Tim White.

It was the first time she’s had three wins in a day in more than a decade of race day driving.

“I thought all three were chances but for it to come together like that was good,” says Butt.

“The (co) owners of Spirited Lou and Lester, Paulette and Bill Screen were down from the North Island and on course too so that was pretty cool.”

That takes her to 14 wins for the year, and 169 overall, with her first winner being Saveapatrol at Forbury Park in 2013.

At Addington tonight she has three drives including Master Class (Love You), who she also trains.

The three-win trotter will line up in Race 8, the Matt Harrison Construction Mobile Trot (1980m) in what will be his first race since August. He has had some tendon and other problems.

“He had a few issues middle to late last year and it’s taken a while to iron those out.”

“There’s no questioning his talent – just about managing the leg and he may take a few runs to get back to his best.”

Earlier in the night she’ll team up with First Rose for trainer Michael House in race 4, the Woodlands Stud Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace and Noah Magnific for trainer Don Burrows in race 1, the Airpark Canterbury Mobile Trot.

Butt has driven the horse at the trials but not on race day before.

“He ran quite well that day behind Rush who came out and won his next start at Addington by a good margin,” says Butt, “regular driver Sam Thornley has a commitment with Ken Barron’s horse (A Hill Two Menny) so I’m just keeping the seat warm.”

A winner on debut, Very Majestic and the in-form Edward Longshanks look the pair to beat, with Butt keen to get handy from a nice draw (2) and then see what transpires.

Butt and fiance Jonny Cox have “10 to a dozen” in work themselves and fit them in around their day jobs.

Both head off first thing, Cox to Stonewall Stud and Butt to the Whites at Ashburton.

“Both of us finish around lunchtime and work the team in the afternoon.”

Then there’s their two-year-old daughter McKenzie to factor in as well.

“We are very lucky – Jonny’s parents are on the property with us so (father) John does the joggers in the morning before we get home and Dorothy looks after our daughter McKenzie when she gets home from pre school.”

It’s a busy schedule, but worth it when you have successful days like last Sunday.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk