NZ HARNESS NEWS
It’s David Butcher against the world in the $50,000 Alabar Classic at Alexandra Park tonight.
At least it feels that way for the man who will drive second-favourite King Of Swing against five members of the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stable.
“It’s me and five others,” joked Butcher as he contemplated a rather overwhelming task.
Brent Mangos is in there, too, with his horse Culpeka, but drawn the outside of the arm and at $56, it seems unlikely he will be a factor.
King Of Swing is, however, very much a factor in the race and the question on everybody’s lips is will Butcher take advantage of the three draw and try and lead.
He did it in the Australasian Breeders Crown Final in Victoria in August and won the race.
He did it in the Sires Stakes Final at Addington last month and set up a New Zealand record on his way to running second.
The key part of that story is that he was beaten by the trailer, Chase Auckland.
This week Chase Auckland has drawn inside barrier and will likely be on King Of Swing’s back once again if the latter was to lead.
Consequently, bookies opened Chase Auckland at $1.40 while King Of Swing was on the second line of betting at $7.50.
“I don’t really know what to do,” said Butcher.
“My guy gets off good, but so does Chase Auckland – I just watched a tape of him leading off the arm at Addington one night.
“Most of that front line are all as quick as each other, really.
“We’ll just have to see how it pans out once we’re out there.”
One thing is for sure – Butcher will want to stay handy if he doesn’t lead.
“You have to on premier night, you can’t get back in the field in these races.
“I’ll want at least a few of them behind me in the run.”
King Of Swing shapes as the main drive on the night for Butcher, who was forced to scratch brilliant trotting mare Sunny Ruby from the Lyell Creek Stakes on Thursday afternoon.
She has battled her way back from a leg injury and usual trainer Sam Smolenski, who sent the horse to Butcher for a northern campaign (as he did last summer), pulled the pin after her final workout.
“Sam’s up here at the moment.
“He worked her this morning and felt she wasn’t quite right.
“She seems reasonably fit but something is bothering her so we will pull her out and try and figure it out.”
Butcher has a big book on the night but believes he is a slim chance of winning with any of them apart from King Of Swing.
“Valor Lustre will be outclassed in the Queen of Hearts, I’d say – it’s too tough from the widest draw.
“Sea Of Gold was good last week against the fillies but this is a step up, taking on Rain Man and the likes.
“It’s a tough race for Step Up and she’s drawn wide and Northview Hustler won’t be able to match it with Heaven Rocks and Vincent.”
Butcher’s other drives on the night are Royal Willie, Alta Shangri La and the juvenile Beaudiene Western, who has at least trialed well but has the outside draw in the first Young Guns heat.
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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