By Adam Hamilton
IT sounds strange to be a tad disappointed when you run second in a Group 1 race, but that’s how Tim Butt felt after My Field Marshal’s Len Smith run last start.
But he’s promising fans will see the best of his Miracle Mile-winning star in Saturday night’s $50,000 Group 2 Sunshine Sprint (1660m) at Albion Park.
“I thought he should’ve won or at least got a lot closer to Cruz Bromac in the Len Smith given the run he had, even though they did really fly home that last 200m,” Butt said.
“Ants (driver Anthony Butt) said he felt a bit flat, that he didn’t his usual zip. He tried hard, but couldn’t ping when he needed him to.”
Butt said although My Field Marshal seemed well going into the Len Smith, he may still have been slightly impacted by a “bug” he contracted a couple weeks before the feature.
“We thought he was right, but he just have been a fraction off his best,” he said.
So Butt made the decision to take My Field Marshal and emerging stablemate Let It Ride to Queensland as early as possible, just a couple of days after the Len Smith.
“We’ve been here a week-and-a-half and I’m glad we have. The warmer weather has seen both of them thrive, especially My Field Marshal, who loves it,” he said.
“With My Field Marshal’s history of breathing issues, he’s better in the warmer weather.
“I just can’t fault him up here. Everything says he’s going into this race better than the Len Smith and very, very close to his absolute top.”
So does that mean he can upset Soho Tribeca, the $1.65 Aussie TAB favourite?
“I don’t think there’s anything between them, especially with them both drawn the back row,” Butt said.
“Maybe Soho Tribeca’s draw is a bit better because he’s two-out and could trail through well, but we’re right next to him.
“Luck in the run and how the race is run will play a huge part in the result, but I can only have my horse as well as possible going into it and I’m confident I have.”
My Field Marshal holds a 2-0 record against Soho Tribeca.
The first clash was the Miracle Mile back on February 24 when Soho Tribeca sat outside the leader and produced one of the runs the season for a close third in that record-breaking 1min46.9sec mile. My Field Marshal came off a cold sit to win the race.
Then, in the Len Smith last time, My Field Marshal ran second, but Soho Tribeca galloped at the start and was tailed-out.
Soho Tribeca’s trainer-driver Mick Stanley said his stable had also thrived in Queensland.
“He’s right where I want him and I think I’ve got the better of the barriers over My Field Marshal this week,” he said.
“I should settle in front of him, then I’m launching early … going looking for the lead or at least to control the race from outside the leader. I’ve got a horse tough enough to do that.”
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