By Brigette Solomon
It was the Arna Donnelly – David Butcher show at Alexandra Park last night.
They combined to take out both of the feature pace races, with Butcher also driving a treble.
“It was a really good night,” said Donnelly, “the team all went raced really well including Chase Me who finished second earlier in the night.”
Donnelly’s first win for the night was with Jolimont who took out the Franklin Pacers Country Cup Handicap Pace giving the Sweet Lou gelding his eighth win.
The start of the race saw indiscretions from both Claude and Invisible, who galloped out of contention at the start and swiftly reduced the field to just five winning chances. Jolimont, who started the race off a back mark of 20 metres alongside Lady Of The Light and Village Rebel, settled reasonably quickly into stride and settled at the tail of the field which was led by Fernleigh Cash. With a soft lead time Butcher was content to let Jolimont enjoy an easy trip following the field, only taking off on his run home with 200 metres to travel and the gelding simply having too much speed for the other runners winning by a length, ahead of Lady Of The Light and Village Rebel.
“With a couple missing away the dynamics of the race changed pretty quickly and there was a little bit of cat and mouse going on,” said Donnelly, “while he didn’t necessarily get all favours, he showed a great turn of foot to win fairly comfortably in the end and it will be a good confidence booster for him.”
Donnelly was straight back in the winner’s circle following Jolimont’s victory with Joes Rock taking out the $35,000 Rodewald Consulting Northern Metro Pacers Final.
“I was really happy to get this win with her” said Donnelly “Her owners Sharon and Robert Symon had flown all the way up from Invercargill to see her race in the Metro Final so to get the win here for them tonight was awesome.”
From a wide draw (8), Butcher allowed Joes Rock to settle at the rear of the field in the one wide line where he would remain throughout running. With Franco Santana setting out a solid lead time, there were no mid race moves before the speed went at the 800 metre mark with Joes Rock remaining out the back and only commencing her run out wide with around 300 metres remaining.
The mare slowly gained ground in the home straight but didn’t look a winner until the final 75 metres when she really hit top gear to flash past the leaders and win by half a length in a time of 2.40-6.
“It didn’t look like she’d get there at the top of the straight, but she’s always been best saved up for one run and showed that tonight,” said Donnelly, “It’s great having these series with good stakes as every bit helps cover costs and rewards owners.”
It was the five-year-old mare’s seventh lifetime win alongside 24 placings, and brought her total earnings to just over $130,000.
Alongside his winning double on Donnelly’s runners, Butcher also trained and drove You Little Beauty to win The Alex Bar and Eatery Mobile Pace at the start of the night giving him his treble.
“It was a pretty good night and they’re few and far between now days” said Butcher “I was happy with You Little Beauty though, it was a good run.”
