NZ HARNESS NEWS
Exciting Australian pacer Bettermatch has been withdrawn from the New Zealand Cup.
Menangle trainer Tim Butt has opted to take a patient approach with the horse after his recent Kilmore Cup raid in Victoria did not go to plan.
“He didn’t travel as good as I had hoped so he has had a week off and he is going to go through the grades at Menangle,” Butt said.
Bettermatch’s eighth placing in the Group 2 event has done nothing to dent his trainer’s wrap on him.
“He is a pretty special horse.
“I think he is just six months away from that having that Grand Circuit practice and he needs a bit of moulding – he is a pretty nice horse.”
Bettermatch was brilliant in his first run in Butt’s colours when winning in 1.50.4 at Menangle last month after his high-profile purchase by stable clients.
Though Bettermatch is heading back to graded races for fine-tuning it does not mean he will be out of Australasia’s biggest races this season.
He could form part of a seriously good three-pronged attack the Butt stable could have in next year’s Miracle Mile.
Butt will aim Let It Ride at the event once he is safely through the Interdominons and his following Grand Circuit targets.
Defending race champion and Southern Hempishere record-holder, My Field Marshal, has recently returned to work to start the path towards defending his Miracle Mile crown.
“He has just come back in to work and he looks terrific; he is going to be ready for Christmas racing at Menangle.”
The Butt stable have taken a similarly patient approach to spring plans of the experienced My Field Marshal as they have with the up and coming Bettermatch.
“They just weren’t suitable races for him with the New Zealand Cup being over two miles and the Interdominions being three heats and a final.
“Hopefully the others will wear themselves out a bit and he can come along later.@
- NZ Harness News
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