Trainer Jack Butler is hoping to end his unbelievable season with a bang.
The former Bathurst horseman made the move to Brisbane around 18 months ago, relocating his entire family and business to the sunshine state and the astute horseman hasn’t looked back.
Butler purchased the property of another former Bathurst based horseman in John McCarthy at Logan Village, mid-way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a fully established training property that was once the home of champion pacers like Be Good Johnny, Slipnslide, Mr Feelgood and Fleur De Lil just to name a few.
And he was determined to hit the ground running.
“It was quite daunting at first, moving Tara (wife) and the kids plus the business to a foreign place but I’ve been to Queensland so many times before, I kind of knew what to expect but when you’re training on a different track, times can be a little hard to sort out while the horses are adjusting to their new environment. It took some time but we’re all sorted now and we love it.” Butler said.
Last Friday night at Redcliffe, the Butler trained Barynya won the Listed $25,000 Chris Garrard’s Patrons Purse when leading throughout defeating Applause and Bio Marinus.
But it was case of double celebration.
Not only did Barynya provide Butler with another feature race success following her recent victory in the Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes at Albion Park during the winter carnival, the victory also notched his 100th training success in Queensland for the season.
“I’m not into all the stats but it’s a nice achievement and extra rewarding to do it winning a feature event like that, the mare is going really well and it was a race I thought she had a good shot at so it worked out nicely.
“I’ve had good success at Redcliffe this season so it was fitting that I got the milestone at this track, most of the horses that have entered my stable have started at Redcliffe before progressing to Albion Park. Let’s hope the winners keep coming, we won’t be slowing down just because we’ve got the century.”
The Redcliffe Harness Racing Club will play host to a rare Saturday night meeting this weekend and the feature event is the Gr.3 $30,000 Moreton Bay Regional Council Redcliffe Gold Cup, a stand start feature over 2613m.
And Butler is lining-up Barynya again.
The former Australian three-year-old filly of the year slid into the wilderness after that stunning season which netted her the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks at Melton, victories were few and far between and a switch to Sydney failed to reignite her flame plus a potential sale to North America fell through.
With owners Lloyd and Judith Whish-Wilson relocating to Queensland, they decided to move their mare also and Butler was the chosen trainer.
Barynya is now back in the zone with victories at her past three starts, two of which being feature events and she looms as a legitimate threat again this weekend.
“When mares are in form, they normally hold it so we’re hopeful of another forward showing again this weekend. This is obviously a lot tougher but she deserves her chance, she begins well and the distance won’t be an issue. Last week, she beat the boys so she can clearly match it with them so we’ll just need some luck going our way.
“I’m sure she had travel sickness or something to that effect when in Sydney so it took some sorting out, she’s just a plain little mare but she clearly has a big motor. I think she’s back to full fitness and health and that’s why her form has turned around.
“Win lose or draw this weekend, she’ll be going for a well-earned break and then will look at her options after that. Ultimately, I think Lloyd and Judith will be happy to breed from her but you never know.”
Butler also has a good chance in the other feature on the program, the Listed $25,000 Hustler Redcliffe Oaks with Zaras Delight and Vinland representing the stable.
Both fillies should prove very competitive in the 2040m event.
Hoofnote; Butler currently sits third in the state trainers premiership with only Grant Dixon and Chantal Turpin having prepared more winners.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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