Butt baffled

20 February 2021

ONE of harness racing’s most astute minds is baffled why his horse is unloved in the market for tonight’s $200,000 Chariots Of Fire.

 Especially as Boots Electric doesn’t have to worry about the hoodoo that dogs some Victorian pacers when they come to Menangle.

 Champion horseman Anthony Butt trains and drives Boots Electric who looks the huge overs in tonight’s Group 1 pace for four-year-olds, which has become one of Australia’s fastest run races every season.

 It recent seasons it has been dominated by superstars like Lazarus and Self Assured but tonight’s field is far more even, especially after all the pre-draw favourites headed by Expensive Ego and Stylish Memphis drew wide.

 Enter Butt and Boots Electric trying to win back-to-back Group 1 after upsetting many of Australia’s best four-year-olds in the Bonanza at Melton two weeks ago.

 He came from the second line to win that night and after drawing ideally tonight it is hard to fathom how he was still $12 with the TAB last night.

 “I think he has a great chance,” says Butt, a legend on harness racing’s Grand Circuit.

 “He beat a field probably as good as this if not better in the Bonanza and had to come from the outside of the second line to do it and he has the draw to stay handy while plenty of the favourites will have to work.

 “I can see it being a high pressure race and us getting a late crack at them.”

 Boots Electric has the added bonus of not being a newbie at Menangle, a trap that leaves many Victorian horses with seared lungs and punters with empty pockets.

 Butt used to train at Menangle and Boots Electric had his first seven starts there including winning in 1:51.3.

 “And he is a different horse to that now, he has improved so much he will break 1:50.”

 Expensive Ego could have been a warm favourite tonight but for his horror draw and how hard he has to work in the opening 800m will be crucial while Stylish Memphis has at least proven she can swoop late so a crazy tempo could suit her and she also looks overs.

Tonight’s meeting also sees heats of the NSW Oaks and the final prelude to next Saturday’s $200,000 Ladyship Mile.

- MICHAEL GUERIN