By Adam Hamilton
ANTHONY Butt’s hopes of an astonishing eighth Hunter Cup win have soared after the barrier draw.
Butt, who has picked-up the drive on Tony Herlihy’s Ohoka Punter, was all smiles after the polished standing-start performer drew barrier three.
“I’ll take that. It’s a terrific draw, especially for a horse who has been stepping away as well as him,” he said.
The Aussie TAB immediately slashed Ohoka Punter’s odds to $3 outright favourite before strong money for Smolda saw him firm from $3.20 to $3 as well.
Smolda also fared well with barrier five which further tightened the Kiwi stronghold on the Hunter Cup.
One Kiwi who didn’t fare as well was last week’s eye-catching Victoria Cup third placegetter Mossdale Conner.
Renowned for his fantastic standing-start manners, Mossdale Conner needed the front line to take advantage. Instead he drew the back (barrier nine).
With Butt driving Ohoka Punter, his brother Tim has taken over training Franco Nelson, who fared poorly in barrier 12.
Dexter Dunn was to take the drive, but will stay home so John Caldow has been booked.
Chris Alford, aiming for the big double after winning the Victoria Cup on Lennytheshark, expects his drive Messini to run very well.
“The draw is OK (barrier six) and I thought his run last week was really good. He’s probably just that little bit below Lenny, but this sort of race really suits him,” he said.
Emerging Victorian Yankee Rockstar looks an X-factor from barrier two after a stunning win in weaker grade over Itz Bettor To Win last week.
While WA Cup winner My Hard Copy, who raced flat when eighth in the Victoria Cup, could be a big improver.
He’s better suited to staying races and she should get a cosy run if he steps well from inside the back row (barrier eight).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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