Champion horseman Anthony Butt packs a mighty one/two punch combination.
Butt, in partnership with Sonya Smith, prepare dual Derby winner Line Up, the country’s best three-year-old plus the richly talented Perfect Stride, placed in both the Victoria and New South Wales Derby classics behind his outstanding stablemate.
Perfect Stride was placed in the Gr.1 $300,000 Breeders Crown last season as a rookie and was a runner-up in the Gr.1 $100,000 Bathurst Gold Chalice at his most recent start on March 28.
Naturally, keeping both colts separated and not clashing in feature events takes some careful planning.
So, with the revised Queensland winter carnival taking shape, Butt is monitoring the situation closely.
With the Queensland border currently closed by State Government officials, Butt is hoping the July 10 reopening is on target.
The Gr.2 $50,660 Garrards South East Derby on July 18 at Albion Park looms as a distinct possibility for Perfect Stride.
The Bettors Delight – Chicago Blues colt ventured back to the Menangle trials this week (Wednesday) and enjoyed stretching his legs for the first time in months.
“It was just a good wee trial to get him out and getting ready for competition again, there was no expectation and he just strolled through the trial and did what was required. We’ll trial him again next week and get more serious.” Butt said.
The younger full-brother to champion pacer Chicago Bull (47 wins – $1.8 million) finished seventh in the Open trial won by Bettor Enforce over Alta Orlando in a slick time of 1:52.2.
“I’m happy with the way he’s come through the trial and given that there’s not much around given the changes to the feature race calendar, the Brisbane race looks a possibility.
“He’s not eligible for any Sires Stakes races so this race presents as a perfect opportunity to earn some good prizemoney, nothing set in stone but I’ll keep an eye on things.
“Originally, I was going to attack the Brisbane carnival with both colts but obviously plans have changed so we’ve made some adjustments to their schedules.”
The star local colt is Governor Jujon, prepared by Grant Dixon, and Butt is fully aware of his capabilities after clashing with him during both the Victoria and New South Wales Derby classics earlier this season.
Governor Jujon beat Perfect Stride in a heat of the Victoria Derby at Ballarat before Line Up defeated both of them in the Gr.1 $200,000 Final the following week at Melton.
In the NSW Derby, Line Up beat Perfect Stride while Governor Jujon failed to qualify for the Final.
Meanwhile, Zeuss Bromac is very unlikely to head north for the Brisbane feature after disappointing on Tuesday at Menangle.
Prepared by Paul and Gavin Fitzpatrick, the Bettors Delight led and weakened to fifth as favourite in a time of 1:52.6.
Zeuss Bromac is being readied for the Breeders Crown in Victoria later this year.
The talented colt was placed in the NSW Derby behind Line Up and Perfect Stride.
Back in April, Racing Queensland advised the 2020 TAB Queensland Constellations Carnival will not proceed this year due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
However, with strict biosecurity measures currently in place, certain features will be staged over the winter months.
Features that will be staged include;
Date |
Race |
Division |
Track |
Distance |
Prize money |
27/06/2020 |
Redcliffe Gold Cup |
Open Disc Hcp |
Redcliffe |
2613m |
$25,630 |
11/07/2020 |
Wondais Mate (Open) |
Open Disc Hcp |
Albion Park |
1660m |
$21,160 |
11/07/2020 |
South East Oaks |
3YO Fillies |
Albion Park |
2138m |
$50,660 |
11/07/2020 |
Queen Of Hearts Pace |
Open Mares |
Albion Park |
1660m |
$21,660 |
18/07/2020 |
Mr Feelgood (Open) |
Open |
Albion Park |
2138m |
$25,660 |
18/07/2020 |
South East Derby |
Open 3YO |
Albion Park |
2138m |
$50,660 |
18/07/2020 |
Fleur De Lil Ladyship |
Open (F & M) |
Albion Park |
1660m |
$25,660 |
18/07/2020 |
Trotters Cup |
Disc Hcp |
Albion Park |
2647m |
$21,270 |
25/07/2020 |
Lucky Creed (Open) |
Open |
Albion Park |
2680m |
$25,660 |
25/07/2020 |
QLD Trotters Cup |
Open (MS) Trot |
Albion Park |
2138m |
$25,660 |
Chris Barsby