Butt's Big Night

By Adam Hamilton

CHAMPION driver Anthony Butt looms as the key player at Menangle’s stellar race night on Saturday.

Butt drives serious players in most of the major races, headed by former Miracle Mile champion My Field Marshal, leading NSW Oaks contender Dr Susan and NSW Derby prepost favourite Line Up.

“It’s a fantastic meeting, isn’t it,” Butt said. “I’m lucky enough to have some terrific drives as well as some of the best horses we train in action, too.”

Here’s Butt takes on his key drives:

RACE 1: LET IT RIDE (gate one): Gee I think he’ll be hard to beat. I told Tim after his Newcastle run, he felt fantastic. I think he’s right back to his very best now and will take a lot of beating from the good draw with his gate speed.

RACE 7: DR SUSAN (gate 11): On face value the draw looks against us, but I’m not sure barrier one is a big advantage for Stylish Memphis. I wouldn’t have wanted one with my filly. It’s hard to muster from the pole at the 2400m start. If she gets crossed, it’s really race on. My filly is at least as good as she was in Melbourne. She jogged it in the heat last week. She’ll take some beating.

RACE 8: PERFECT STRIDE (gate seven): He’s flying and he’s a real pro. He’s very fast out, if I want. I’ll have a good think about whether I push the button early. Smooth Deal didn’t get out that quickly the other day, so having a crack for the front is an option, That said, he’s so versatile, I’m sure he’ll be right in the finish however it pans out.

RACE 9: LINE UP (gate four): I actually think he’s gone to a whole new level again. I didn’t think there was much between he and Perfect Stride before last time, but I’ve changed my mind. This guy had to sprint about four times and was still coming back hard at Perfect Stride, who had a much easier run, on the line. It was a very hard run, but he’s bounced through it really well. He’s got everything, the strength and the high speed.