Race day return for Bob Butt tonight

Bob’s back at Addington on Friday night.

Bob Butt will make his highly anticipated return from back surgery to link up with a strong team from his own harness racing stable entered on the 10-race card.

Butt’s first drive back from his injury lay off looks a good one in Brilliant Lulu.

The three-year-old has trialled well leading into her debut in race 3.

Though she’s likely to start at short odds, punters shouldn’t expect her to automatically zoom to the front from barrier 1.

“She has trialled up good and has a bit of speed,” Butt said.

“There is definitely a bit of ability there.”

“I am not sure she will have the gate speed to lead up from (barrier) 1, but with the small field she shouldn’t be too far off them.”

Butt lines up another first starter in Chase The Stars, who debuts in race 9.

The three-year-old has won his last two public appearances at the trials.

Most importantly, the pacer has stepped away from the tapes well in both outings ahead of his standing start debut.

“I have been really happy with his trials and his manners have been good,” Butt said.

“He’s a nice maiden and if he steps away he won’t be far away.”

Happy Place will get the chance to continue his consistent form for the Butt stable in race 9.

The pacer meets a tidy field which included Donmaro who impressed in his recent return to racing.

“He is honest as, hopefully he can slot in somewhere and get a nice run,” Butt said.

“He is not one that can go blasting out, so he will need things to go his way a bit.”

“Hopefully there is a bit of speed on and if he’s handy enough he will be running on.”

Kikorangi Blue drops in class in the Second Autumn Fillies & Mares Sprint on Friday night.

Like Happy Place, Butt hopes the mare can find a suitable run so that she can show her best.

“She went super in the Uncut Gems.”

“There is a bit of gate speed inside her, so we have got to hope the race pans out for her.”

“She can’t make her own luck, she is best when she is saved for one run.”

Butt also has Manhattan starting in Auckland on Friday night.

The mare looks a big winning threat in the Autumn Mares Classic.

Matthew White takes the reins behind Manhattan in the 1700m feature.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand