by Jonny Turner
In cricketing terms, Bob Butt needs a run off the last ball of the last over.
The Woodend horseman heads to Reefton on Friday with an impressive 49 training wins for the year.
Butt’s last runner for 2022 will be leading Reefton Cup contender Get Up N Dance.
Getting to 50 looks a distinct possibility for the trainer given his new recruit’s impressive stable debut victory at Rangiora.
Get Up N Dance moved to Butt’s stable from Nathan Williamson’s barn to be beach-trained and it immediately made an impact when he swept home to score.
That form has been franked with runner-up Franco Marek winning Thursday’s Motukarara Christmas Cup.
“He surprised me a bit – I am still getting to know the horse and he went to Rangiora so I could get a bit of a line on him,” Butt said.
“But he went super – I was rapt with him.”
Though Get Up N Dance was a dominant winner, Butt was left with some work-ons as the pacer didn’t steer perfectly in the run home.
Punters can expect to see a more refined version of the horse on Thursday, as well as a fitter one.
“I have made a few changes to his gear which will hopefully get him steering a bit better.”
“I would like to think he would be better for that last run – I am still getting to know the horse.”
“But he should go a pretty good race.”
Get Up N Dance opened the $3.20 favourite for the Reefton Cup with thirsty punters quickly backing him into $1.90 odds.
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