Cambridge reinsman Philip Butcher will be looking to claim his third Tauranga Grass Cup in six years when he drives Bettor Spirits at Gate Pa on Sunday.
The $10,000 Gartshore Group Tauranga Grass Cup for the R60 to R100 pacers, is the sixth race of 11, in this year's North Island Country Cups Series.
It is also the first time Harness Racing Waikato will host the meeting after the Bay Of Plenty Harness Racing Club amalgamated with HRW late last year.
Butcher believes the Mike Berger trained Bettor Spirits, who is the highest rated pacer (R95) in the eight-horse field, can win the 3000m standing start event.
“Even though it will be his first start on the grass and over the distance, he does have immense speed if they go slow, and with only seven others in the race he should be handy, even from his 40m handicap.
“He’s been racing against some of the best in the city in recent starts and if things went his way he should be too good. I really like his chances,” Butcher said.
Butcher said he really enjoyed driving at Gate Pa after winning the race in 2012 behind the Geoff Small trained Zenola Seelster and then again in 2015 behind the Small trained The Bucket List.
“I really love racing on the grass. It’s a lot more relaxed and a real picnic atmosphere. You can drive them a little bit different than when you do on the grit and shell,” The Cambridge driver said.
He said Berger had wondered whether Bettor Spirits would get the 3000m, but Butcher believed he would.
“He’s won over 2700m and I will drive him a bit kinder because of Mike’s concerns. But he’s a lovely horse and if he’s on song then he should be a bit too smart for this field,” Butcher said.
“I just hope they don’t go too hard,” he added.
North Island Country Cups joint points leader, Full Speed Ahead (R68), who won the Rotorua Grass Cup two starts back, will be tough for Bettor Spirits to beat.
Mo Casino (R70), who has also been a model of consistency, also rates highly from his luxury two draw.
None of the eight starters in the Tauranga Grass Cup have won at Gate Pa.
Current points in the North Island Country Cups Series for 2017 are:
Full Speed Ahead 13, Pay Me Visa 13, Sir Richie 12, Everything 10, Fleeting Grin 10, Joanednobettor 10, Beyond The Silence 7, Extra Guinness 5, Imajollywally 5, Mo Casino 5, Dikerry 3, Eldolar 3, Hudy Haxwell 3, Jonah Jones 2, The Tracker 2, Franco Lennox 1, Minstrel Boy 1.
Past Tauranga Grass Cup (with driver and trainers) winners:
2016: Beyond The Silence, 10m, Lyn Neal, Andrew & Lyn Neal.
2015: The Bucket List, fr, Phil Butcher, Geoff Small.
2014: Kippenberger, 10m, Josh Dickie, John & Josh Dickie.
2013: Lets Elope, 10m, Maurice McKendry, Frank Cooney & Tate Hopkins.
2012: Zenola Seelster, Phil Butcher, Ian Small.
2011: Pure Power, 10m, Nicola Molander, Dave & Clare McGowan.
2010: Abandoned.
2009: Greg Brydon, fr, Matthew White, Kevin Smith.
2008: Zenad, 10m, David Butcher, Geoff Small.
2007: Tuffery, 30m, Peter Ferguson, Gareth Dixon.
2006: Jag Star, U1 35m, Gene Robb, Derek Balle.
North Island Country Cups races remaining in 2017:
Manawatu Cup – February 9; Wanganui Cup February 12; Taranaki Cup – March 2; Stratford Cup March 5; Palmerston North Festival Gold Cup – March 31.
Duane Ranger