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An inch perect drive by Anthony Butt landed Copy That a winner of the Sunshine Sprint over King Of Swing. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Ants severs ties with Rosati - his driving passion rekindled with Brisbane gongs
Driving Lincoln Farms’ star pacers Copy That and American Dealer at the Queensland carnival helped crack driver Anthony Butt make the decision today to sever ties with big Sydney owner Emilio Rosati.
Butt and his partner Sonya Smith have been private trainers for the leviathan owner for the last 18 months, during which time Rosati has enjoyed his best time in harness racing.
But the spectacular success Butt has had in the cart in last few weeks has helped the expat Kiwi make up his mind to go back to being a free agent.
Butt has been the number one driver of choice in Brisbane, handling big race performers Copy That, Amazing Dream, Krug and American Dealer, reminding people with outstanding tactical performances why he is classed as one of the best in the business.
Anthony Butt … “driving has always been my main passion.” PHOTO: Michael McInally.“Driving has always been my main passion and I’ve missed out on a lot of good horses in the last 18 months because Emilio wanted us to be exclusive.
“We’ve also been offered a lot of horses to train which we haven’t been able to take.”
Smith was even forced to say goodbye to “her baby”, Lincoln Farms’ good pacer Make Way, when they became private trainers for Rosati.
Butt says he is looking forward to being able to travel more - “I’ve always followed the big carnivals in Australia” - but of course Emilio wasn’t keen on my being away from the team.
“One good thing is I’ll be available to drive Copy That more. And next season he’s good enough to win any race. At this level you’ll never win every race but he could be favourite in any race like the Hunter Cup, Miracle Mile, New Zealand Cup and be a big chance in them all.
“He’s furnished into the complete article. He can come off the gate and relax, make a move to get a spot and relax again.
“Ray Green has done a great job with him. Often hard racing improves them even more. Some go missing but he’s really stepping up.
“But ultimately this is a lifestyle decision for Sonya and I. We just want to go back to doing our own thing.
Owner Emilio Rosati lays one on Anthony Butt after former Lincoln Farms’ top three-year-old Line Up won the 2020 New South Wales Derby. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.“We’re very proud we’ve had so much success with Emilio’s horses. He’s had the success he craved for the last 30 or 40 years - it’s been unparalleled for him.
“The success has put us on the map too. It’s proven to people that we can train at the top level and set horses for big races and win.
“Wolf Stride was a rogue when we got him - he’d run off the track in races a couple of times - and we took him from a maiden to a Group I superstar.
“Boots Electric was the same. He was unraced in New Zealand and here we won the Group I Bonanza and South Australia Pacing Cup with him.”
In all, Butt and Smith prepared five Group I winners for Rosati for stakes topping A$1.8 million.
Butt says, however, the Queensland carnival reinvigorated his wish to drive more topliners.
“It’s a real feather in my cap to be asked to drive these horses. It’s a lot of pressure and it comes with expectations. But you do your best and when you win it’s a massive thrill.”
More news in Harness
‘The Kid’ flying but Argyle up against it to add good points in novel drivers’ challenge
Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
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Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
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Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.