HE’S yet to take out the Shirley Turnbull Memorial (2,790 metres) but Tim Butt has one of the leading hopes in this Wednesday’s edition with Raukapuka Ruler.
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The former New Zealand Group 1 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby champion has made the jump across to Australia this season and has the $50,000 feature Bathurst event in his sights.
Raukapuka Ruler has looked a picture of perfection in his two Australian starts thus far, boasting a narrow defeat to Miracle Mile champion and stablemate My Field Marshall in his latest outing.
Butt said it’s great to see the Australian campaign put some spark back into his derby star.
“He won the Northern Derby against the best three-year-olds in NZ. His form has probably tapered off at the top level a little bit but we’re hoping to resurrect that,” he said.
“Both his latest runs were great runs so I’m really looking forward to the race on the 26th. The Turnbulls will be pretty keen to win it so it should be a good one.
“He was a length away from Cruz Bromac in his last [New Zealand] start, and he was favourite for the Inter Dominion Final, but over here [in Australia] you get a bit of relief in class racing and hopefully he can get some confidence back and progress towards the big stuff later on.”
Four Turnbull-trained chances are among the memorial field.
Recent Inter Dominion series contenders Conviction and Joes Star Of Mia are back home after their Victorian endeavour with Steve Turnbull, while stablemate Modern Maestro also lines up.
Nathan Turnbull sends Power Of Red around in the hopes of emulating his recent scorching victory.
Two other major threats on the front row are Chris Frisby’s Inter Dominion runner-up Our Uncle Sam, who starts widest, and former Bathurst Gold Chalice winner Fouroeight in gate one for Mat and Gemma Rue.
Butt’s brother Anthony has the drive on Raukapuka Ruler who goes out from gate two.
“I’ll leave it up to Ants. We’ve got a handy draw and options from there,” Butt said.
“It’s a long distance race but he’s a lovely horse and good from in front so that’s probably an option.”
The trainer-driver combination of last year’s winner Charlaval, KerryAnn Turner and Robbie Morris, will try to defend their crown with Celestial Arden.
Wednesday’s racing gets underway from 6.07pm with the feature event to run at 8.40pm.
