By Michael Guerin
Driver Bob Butt says Bet N Win is ready to confirm what so many have thought about him for a while at Addington tonight.
“I am sure he is an open class horse in the making,” says Butt, who will partner the four-year-old in the Future Wealth Sires’ Stakes Aged Trot.
“And I think he is ready to show it fresh up.”
Bet N Win has the stride of a good horse for trainers David and Stacey White but hasn’t raced since a huge Alexandra Park win on New Year’s Eve.
He has obviously been aimed at tonight’s race and its juicy $40,000 stake and suggested he is ready to win it with a slick trial at Rangiora last week.
“I drove him and he was really good in a fast time so I think he is ready,” says Butt.
“And most importantly his manners were really good.”
Those could be crucial tonight as Bet N Win is draw unruly on the front line but if he can behave himself he could maintain his advantage over in-form rivals like Eurostyle and El Conqueror (20m) and Galway Gal and Mighty Logan off their 10m marks.
Even a few slow strides at the start could put him back in the pack where manners matter and that won’t feel quite so comfortable for favourite punters but if Bet N Win stays in front of the backmarkers and can roll on to the lead he will take enormous catching.
Butt also has his own emerging pacer Xlendi in tonight’s pacing feature in which he gives away up to 18 rating points in a small but select mobile 1980m.
“It is a good field but I have no doubt his motor is up to most of these,” says Butt.
“He is just a bit of a big dumb bugger but he can run and he will only keep getting better.”
Who’s Better and the sometimes hard to read Franco Indie rate as the hardest horses to beat in what has been a very competitive grade at Addington in the last few months.
Earlier in the night Butt also has Sophia’s Dream (R4, No.2) racing in the O’Meara colours and she should be ready to use her good draw after three recent trials.
“She is a handy mare who will do a good job this campaign,” he told HRNZ.
