7By Matt Markham

Kim Butt knows how close she came to having her season cut short last weekend, so the talented young horsewoman is keen to make up for it tonight at Addington.

Butt was one of three drivers sent to the track in the last race at Rangiora last weekend – her helmet was dislodged on impact with the track, but incredibly she walked away relatively unscathed.

“I think I was pretty lucky,” she said.

“It could have been a lot worse that’s for sure. I’ve been a little bit sore this week but it’s just been bumps and bruises so I got off lightly.”

A potentially serious injury is usually enough for one to take stock of things and Butt is planning on making the most of getting through the accident injury-free when she jumps back in the sulky tonight at Addington.

She’s got four drives, three of which are strong winning hopes.

Mighty Empire gives the daughter of champion reinsman, Anthony, a chance to bookend junior driver races at Addington for the season after she won the first juniors race for the season back in August last year on Justalittlebettor.

The Coaster Howe trained Mighty Empire has been a model of consistency in recent months and will get few better chances than tonight to pick up another victory.

“I’ve driven her once before, she’s going great guns at the moment.

“If we can get away safely and settle handy to the speed I think she’s a pretty big chance based on what she’s done recently.”

Two trotters give Butt her other two strong winning hopes for the night.

Prestine takes on an even field in the feature trot of the night while Craddock jumps out of maidens, but looks up the challenge, later on in the night.

Trained by Bill Roberts, Prestine has been in a great form recently including a last start fifth behind Wilma’s Mate in a race which Kim described as “probably not her best work.”

“I went a little too wide probably but she still went great.

“Her manners seem really good at the moment, Bill has done a great job with her.

“Hopefully we can get in on the action this week.”

Prestine is part-owned by Butt’s grandmother, Jenny Butt, and she is the sole owner of Craddock who made the trotting game look easy last week at Rangiora when winning his maiden.

The Tim Butt trained three-year-old bolted in and Butt is a little more than excited to reunite herself with the horse.

“I’ve got a bit of time for him, he’s come back really well.

“You would think the way he won last week that he will handle the rise in grade.

“I’ve just got to get him to calm down at the start, he can get a bit wound up but if we get past that point we should be fine.”

Butt’s fourth drive for the night is Sancy in the last race.

The Nora Bishop trained runner meets a hot field that includes Gotta Go Yu Hu and Stars Align.

With 13 wins on the board, Butt is happy enough with her season’s work although a dry spell for a few months through the Christmas and New Year period was frustrating.

“I got a little annoyed there for a while, but thankfully we worked through it and things are starting to pick up again.

“I’m being given some good opportunities which helps.”

With 47 career wins on the board, Butt is close to reaching 50 wins for her career – an achievement which she should meet early in the new season.

Unless of course everything goes to plan tonight and she wins three races…

Now wouldn’t that be a comeback?

Race 1: Freedom Fighter, Cruzy Dude, McClinchie, Pass The Speights
Race 2: The Foot Tapper, Forgot To Remember, Fira Sunset, Kash Valley
Race 3: Superfecta, Art I Am, Pay Me Way, Go Fella Go
Race 4: Mighty Empire, Ranfurly Rulz, Lucky Luciano, Rummage
Race 5: Hey Yo, Twelve Monkeys, Prestine, The Silver Fox
Race 6: Mr Mojito, Stunin Dude, Courage To Live, Happy Lou
Race 7: Luciano, Vera’s Delight, Soapbox, Mr Handleman
Race 8: Blood And Whiskey, Cuddly Jess, Craddock, Motu Great Sensation
Race 9: Lakeisha, Badentyre, Franco Tristan, Benji Mara
Race 10: Gotta Go Yu Hu, Stars Align, Hannah Extreme, Classie Margaret

Best Bet: Gotta Go Yu Hu (Race 10)
Value: Lakeisha (Race 9)

HRNZ

 

 

 

 

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