NZ HARNESS NEWS
Cambridge junior driver Benjamin Butcher is on cloud nine after being rewarded with the biggest drive of his fledgling career to date.
He will partner the Steve Telfer-trained American Brave in the Gr.1 $170,000 Sire Stakes Series Final at Addington on Tuesday – New Zealand Cup day.
The prospect of having his first Group 1 drive, amongst New Zealand’s elite horsemen, in front of a crowd expected to number more than 20,000 is an exciting one.
“I’m buzzing,” he said.
“I’m just rapt to get the drive, or even be mentioned in discussions, and I can’t be more thankful to both Steve Telfer and the horse’s connections for putting me on.”
Butcher says the overwhelming feeling is a combination of “nerves and excitement”.
Thankfully, he has the experienced heads of both his father David, and brother, Zachary, to call on for advice on how to prepare for and manage the occasion.
“Most likely I’ll be talking to Dad quite a bit and he’ll be trying to calm me down a lot of the time.
“I’ll go through the race with him beforehand and, once the day arrives, just go out there and have fun and enjoy it.”
American Brave, the winner of the final northern heat at Alexandra Park for Butcher a fortnight ago, has drawn 14, on the second line, and bookies posted him yesterday at a $26 quote.
But the second line draw isn’t all that bad in this race, and Butcher knows it.
“It can be a bit of a funny one, this race,” said Butcher.
“The horses that do get good draws have to burn early sometimes and it can set it up for the back ones.
“I’ll be looking to get a drag in to it at some point.”
Four of the last eight winners – Lazarus, Texican, Have Faith In Me and Sir Lincoln – have come from the second line.
For good measure two others – Ultimate Machete and Gold Ace – won from the two spots on the outside of the front row.
So a staying test is probably assured and that will suit American Brave right down to the ground.
Before then, Butcher has four drives on his home track in Cambridge on Friday night and thinks he probably has a good winning show amongst them.
“Kiwi Tintin has been racing quite well.
“He went really well at Auckland and I would say it’s the best he’s gone in the times I’ve driven him.”
Steve Telfer, whose stable is running red-hot this season, recently took over the training of Kiwi Tintin after former trainer Geoff Small scaled right back to just a few horses.
Another former Small horse that Butcher will drive is Christanna, who is now prepared by Mike Berger.
She was super running second at Cambridge two starts back but disappointed at Alexandra Park last time out.
“She did go good at Cambridge I thought and I think that draw will probably suit her this week.”
Ardent Lustre is another Telfer horse and Butcher has driven him a few times recently, including to a win on the first day at Palmerston North last week.
“He went really well both days down at Palmy.
“He was just unlucky on the second day.
“He’s got the draw and the gate speed to hold up this week and should go near enough.”
Completing his book is trotting mare The Last Gamble, for Thames trainer Paul Springall.
“It’s my first drive on her. She did go quite well last time and hopefully her form carries on this week.”
Asked to pick the best of his team, Butcher had no hesitation in lumping for Kiwi Tintin in the junior drivers’ race.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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