Nelson double for Butt

Xlendi (Somebeachsomewhere) was too big and too powerful for the others in the field when he won the Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Cup for Woodend Beach harness racing trainer Bob Butt at the Nelson Harness Club meeting yesterday.

The seven year old stepped well from the front row and was taken to the top before with a lap to run, he handed up to Rakero Rocket.

“On paper he (Rakero Rocket) was the horse to beat,” Butt said.

Turning in, Butt eased Xlendi out of the trail and reined him up. He was too dominant and won by five lengths from Rakero Rocket.

“It was a big help getting a 30 metre head start on those other ones. It worked out good. It was good to see him really hit the line yesterday.”

XLENDI REPLAY

The 3000 metres was run in 3-45.4 with the last 800 run in 55.6.

Xlendi was developed in the south by Brett Gray. He started four times for Gray, winning once and running second three times before he was sent to the Butt stable. He’s now won five races.

“He’s been a big dumb bugger and has taken a bit of time to come to it. He won a few early, then just got into a hard grade pretty quick.”

Butt also won the next race with Ready Set Jet (Quaker Jet).

The five year old stepped away well from the unruly and after 200 metres was in front. There he stayed and the gelding went down to the line to win by two and a quarter lengths from Grettymac.

READY SET JET REPLAY

“He’s got his share of ability. He’s probably in the same boat as Xlendi. Just a big raw sort of a horse.”

The gelding who was bred by the late Glenn Scott has now won three of his eleven starts.

“All of Glenn’s family race him.”

Xlendi will start in tomorrow’s Nelson Classic over a mile.

“Not sure how he’ll go because it’s his first go over a mile. We’re off level marks, so it’ll make it a bit harder.”

Ready Set Jet runs off the ten metre handicap in the Mike Austin Memorial Trot.

“Going back 10 metres makes it a bit harder too, but he’s got the ability and if he does everything right he’ll be thereabouts.”

Earlier on the Nelson card yesterday, Beside Me (Downbytheseaside) crushed a maiden field, winning by seven and a half lengths for West Melton trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety.

Reined by their son Carter the royalty bred three year old was taken to the front with a lap to run and looked like a win a long way from home.

BESIDE ME REPLAY

It was Beside Me’s second career start after she debuted in the Group Three Caduceus Club of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic at Ascot Park in March last year.

Raced by Charles Joseph Limited, Beside Me is out of the $1.4 million dollar earner Dream About Me. Her wins included the Auckland Cup, the Breeders Stakes, the Queen Of Hearts and the New Zealand Oaks.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink