By Jonny Turner
Bob Butt’s patience with Mighty Flying Rocker continued to pay off when the pacer’s varied career continued with victory at Oamaru yesterday.
The six-year-old won his second race as a pacer, to go alongside a solo trotting win when scoring for driver John Dunn.
A mixture of patience and going with his horse’s natural inclination has led to Mighty Flying Rocker finding the best form of his career.
“I didn’t mind him early on, he trialled as a two-year-old but he was just a wee bit weak,” Butt said.
“I brought him back in and he didn’t come up as we hoped, so we tried a few things and all he wanted to do was trot.”
“It was only his first prep as a trotter and he won a race, so he did pretty well.”
“But then all he wanted to do was pace away from a stand, so I thought bugger it I will put the hopples back on him.”
During his attempts in the both the trotting and pacing gaits Butt gave the six-year-old plenty of time in the spelling paddock, which has resulted in the horse strengthening up.
Mighty Flying Rocker is raced by Kevin, Tony, and the estate of the late Ray Hickman as well as Snow Reardon and Butt paid tribute to them for their own patience while he tried to get the best out of the pacer.
“They’re great owners, they have been very patient and its great that the horse is making up for it now.”
Judging by yesterday’s effort more rewards for the group of owners are set to come.
“He goes to about rating 54 after today, he run home in 56sec (800m) so you would think he would be pretty competitive in that grade.”
Butt has been in excellent form this month, having produced Ruakaka to win at Addington on Friday night after scoring a double at the Geraldine meeting prior to that.
Ruakaka impressed when running to a maiden victory on debut.
The trotter looks capable of continuing the brilliant start he has made to his career, but those wishing to follow him will have to show the same kind of patience that has produced results with Mighty Flying Rocker.
“He has taken a bit of time but I really like him, he will go to the paddock now.”
“I want to look after him, so I have chucked him straight out.”
Butt races Ruakaka with his grandparents Robin and Jackie Butt.
The trotter was also driven to victory by John Dunn who has been in outstanding form recently.
Dunn drove four winners at Addington on Friday night before reining home three more at Oamaru yesterday.
The reinsman scored with Dancing On My Own (race 5) and Jimmy Arma and (race 10) as well as driving Mighty Flying Rocker to win.
