By Matt Markham
Tim Butt is heading to Addington tonight feeling more hopeful than he is confident.
His Swedish trotter, Daryl Boko, will begin his march to the Dominion Handicap when he tackles tonight’s Ordeal Cup – taking on the likes of Sunny Ruby, Amaretto Sun and Sheemon.
But there’s no massive expectations on the shoulders of a diminutive trotter, Butt will just be happy to see him there and being competitive.
“I don’t know if he can win it fresh up or not,” Butt said.
“His trials have been very good, he trotted home in 56.2 at Rangiora behind Jag’s Invasion, so he’s ready to go.”
Unsighted in New Zealand since he finished fifth behind Springbank Sam at Addington back in January, Daryl Boko campaign unsuccessfully in Australia.
“Here we had problems with manners, but the ability was always there.
“But over in Australia he had the manners but wasn’t showing his best ability.”
The aim is the Dominion Handicap on Show Day in November, but there’s a slight possibility that Butt might forgo that opportunity to target the New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All on the Tuesday.
“We’ve got to make that decision at some point, I’m hearing Monbet won’t be there on the Tuesday so we may be better heading to that and trying to win there.
“It’s something we have to weigh up because he doesn’t back up so it’s one or the other.”
Tonight’s Ordeal Cup does look at the mercy of Sunny Ruby who was stunning winning fresh up last week for Sam Smolenski.
The speedy mare looks capable of sitting last in such a small field and swamping her rivals late and Butt is certainly impressed with her.
“She’s up near the Monbet league the way she can sprint, it’s pretty impressive.”
Amaretto Sun, who missed away last week, but was making up a lot of ground late looks her biggest danger while Sheemon will also be improved off the back of his fresh up effort last week.
Meanwhile, Butt’s stable star, Field Marshall, is about a month away from stepping out at the trials.
“He’s come back really well, we’ll head to the trials and see where we are at from there.”
The Junior-Free-For-All on Cup Day is the immediate aim and then, all going well, the New Zealand Free-For-All on Show Day – but don’t expect to see the speedy merchant before then.
“I’m thinking Cup Day fresh up will be us, then onto the Free-For-All on the Friday from there.
“After that we will look at a couple of nice races at Cambridge around Christmas time before heading to Australia.”
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