By Michael Guerin
Bob Butt went to Addington with two promising trotters on Friday night and came home with the favourites for two of our biggest features for young squaregaiters.
Butt trains Wilma’s Boy and Gold Bullion who both dominated their rivals from the front and looked all class doing it.
Wilma’s Boy was on debut when he put nine lengths between himself and his rivals in the Renwick Farms Two-Year-Old Trot, trotting a handy 2:2.3 mile rate for the mobile 1980m.
Wilma’s Boy is bred to be good, from Harness Jewels winner Wilma’s Mate by US stallion Tactical Landing, who just a month ago sired Tactical Approach to win the Hambletonian.
Butt knew Wilma’s Boy had a motor but he has him in half-hopples to aid his confidence so admits he really didn’t expect the demolition job that unfolded.
“We knew he could trot but he really is a long way from being the finished product, that is why he wears the halfies,” says Butt.
Bred by Richard Cornelius, Wilma’s Boy went to the yearling sales but failed to make his reserve price so was brought home with only one hassle.
“Richard thought he would automatically entered for the Harness Millions but he wasn’t so he isn’t eligible for that.
“So his one big remaining aim this season is the Sires’ Stakes but at least he is good enough to race the older horses if we can’t find a lead-up race.”
Wilma’s Boy was brought straight into $2.80 favouritism for the Sires’ Stakes after the win and while there is a long way to go in this juvenile trotter’s season if he keeps improving, and trotting all the way, it is going to take a very good young horse to beat him.
Gold Bullion actually started favourite in that Sires’ Stakes Final for Butt last season before finishing third but looks an even stronger horse now.
He beat a smart age group performer in Outamyway by three lengths with a 58.1 last 800m on Friday night and went straight to the top of the market for the NZ Trotting Derby in December.
“He has come back really well and the Derby is the obvious aim for him,” says Butt who only has 20 horses in work but has build such a good reputation in recent seasons his colours always warrant a second look from punters.
The main pace of the night, the Woodlands Stud Harness 7000 went to Coney Island Lou as the Triple Cs (Chrissie, Cran and Carter Dalgety) beat Triple G.
Coney Island Lou trailed Triple G and grabbed him late in a 56.6 second last 800m in a good training performance as he hadn’t raced since April.
Team Dunn may have had to settle for second there but got a late treble with Sunnys Sister, Who’s Delight and Charlie Brown.
