Harness racing followers in New Zealand will tell you that when it comes to Premier night racing you back the All Stars barn come what may.
Thats how it was tonight in the first race on Premier night at Addington Raceway with the All Stars runner Benicio the warmest of favourites with the punters.
Benicio found the death seat a fair way out and when he grabbed the front 200 metres out he looked to have the race in safe keeping until Easy Rider and Bob Butt swooped late and nailed the hot favourite right on the line.
Bob Butt was a bit shocked that he had picked up the All Star runner.
" On Premier night it is not often that you run down one of the All Stars runners"
" When I came out I thought I might get second but it did surprise me that we got up."
" However he did impress me last week and he seems to be getting better every start," Bob said.
It has been far from plain sailing with the son of Art Official who has shown plenty right from his trials as a two year old.
" He ran second to the smart Field Marshal when he qualified but was put aside to strengthen up."
" However he was never settled at three and we put him aside again."
" This time in he is finally starting to fulfill the promise he showed at two."
" He has always had high speed, right from his two year old days," Bob said.
The future for Easy Rider is pretty well set in stone with the horse owned in Australia by the long time client of the David and Catherine Butt stable in Tony McGrath.
" He has got a few more wins in him here in New Zealand but when he reaches his mark here he will go to Australia so Tony can see him race.
" The immediate aim for the four year old is the Futurity final on Show Day," Bob said.
The All Star barn are rarely beaten on Premier night but as Easy Rider showed it is not impossible.
Harnesslink Media