Local treble for Butcher

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

It was a night for the locals at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday, led by local horseman David Butcher who reined home a winning treble.

He opened his account in his own silks when Claudia Schiffer took out the Wisteria Lane Nail Boutique Clinic Mobile Pace (2200m).

The daughter of Sportswriter was sent forward early and assumed the lead from the breaking Little Suzie, who driver Benjamin Butcher was able to settle relatively quickly.

Claudia Schiffer had a comfortable lead throughout and ran away to an easy three-quarter length victory over Four Kisses.

“She was good,” Butcher said.

“She just got a better draw (5) this week and that made all the difference. She got an easy lead and was too good.”

Butcher then hopped in the cart behind Fira in the Black Dog Furniture Bruntwood Road Mobile Trot (2200m) for local trainer Arna Donnelly.

The Thanksgiving mare was given the perfect trip throughout in the one-one and was able to wear down leader Safrakova in the home straight to record her sixth career victory.

“She got a really good trip and ended up in the one-one and she got there by a neck,” Butcher said.

He then donned the colours of local breaker Brent Donnelly in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Fibre Grow Mobile Pace (2700m) when piloting The Banker.

Butcher gave the Arna Donnelly-trained gelding a similar trip, with the son of Auckland Reactor able to secure a nose victory over stablemate Young Conqueror.

“The Banker also got an easy trip in the one-one and got there by a nose,” he said.

Butcher was not the only member of his family to walk away with a win on Thursday, with son Benjamin reining home Cya Art to win the Racebook Donations Supporting Team Teal Mobile Pace (2200m) for trainers Steven and Amanda Telfer.

Butcher was able to secure an early one-one position with the three-year-old son of Art Major before pressing forward for the lead at the bell. The race favourite held on to a one length victory over Wet Flipflops, with Alta Cassino a further 3-1/4 lengths back in third.

“We got a good cosy trip early on and the pace wasn’t that quick,” Butcher said. “He lacks a bit of speed, so I thought I would put him in it. He had to do a little bit of work to get there, but he got the job done.”