By Jonny Turner
Better’s Tart added to her outstanding record south of the Waitaki when diving late to clinch victory in the Roxburgh Cup yesterday.
The mare may be trained in Canterbury by Brent and Tim White but a look at her record might suggest otherwise.
Better’s Tart scored the fifth of her six career wins in Otago and Southland with an impressive display in Roxburgh’s annual feature.
The pacer had to work when sitting in the parked position in the middle stages but it took little away from her ability to deliver a big late finish.
“It was one of those races where she was about five back on the fence and I was thinking do I or don’t I come out,” driver Kimberly Butt said.
“I thought we have come all of this way – and Tim and Brent have done a super job with her – so I thought we would get out there and hope someone comes around.
“And they did.”
Her Roxburgh Cup victory is the biggest win Butt has produced in the White colours.
The reinswoman started working for the trainers last year, before returning to race day driving following a maternity break.
“They have been super supportive of me since coming back from having my daughter McKenzie.”
“To get a cup for them is just super.”
The win is also one of the biggest thrills Tim White has enjoyed since joining his father in an official training partnership last year, after playing a big role at the stable prior.
White credited his father for his patient approach and placement approach with Better’s Tart
“Dad has placed her a treat and been really patient with her.”
“The owners have been super to deal with – we decided to take our time with her.”
“We won with her at Oamaru about five weeks ago now and we have got her through to this point and now we’re targeting the Southern Belle series.”
Bred and raced by South Canterbury owners David and Jane Timperley under their Opawa Downs banner, Better’s Tart won by a neck from runner-up Boudica with just a further nose back to the pacemaker Mach Quillan.
Earlier on the Roxburgh card Blair Orange joined an elite group of New Zealand reinsman when winning his 2500th race.
Orange completed the incredible feat, joining a club which includes Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry, Ricky May and David Butcher when guiding Peaky Lou to a front-running victory in race 2.