Ken Casellas |
Former smart pacer James Butt has recovered from damaging a suspensory ligament twice, and he will return to racing after a 30-month absence when he starts from the No. 1 barrier in the $23,750 Hoist Solutions Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“It is exciting to have him back at the races,” said his trainer-driver Chris Voak. “The prognosis was not good after he broke down for the second time.”
However, Voak and his wife Asha have nursed the seven-year-old gelding back to health, with Voak saying that his legs were now as good as gold.
“James Butt has had two trials this month and has been in work for a long time,” said Voak. “Forget his fourth behind Alta Cinderella after leading in a Pinjarra trial on Wednesday of last week when he had a breathing problem.”
A week earlier James Butt finished strongly to win a 2185m Pinjarra trial, rating 1.57.8 when he beat Star of Diamonds and Machnificent after sprinting over the final quarters in 29.7sec. and 26.7sec.
“I think he will run an honest race on Friday night, and he will only get better,” said Voak.
James Butt will clash with last-start winners Plutonium, Socrates, Jaspervellabeach, Hampton Banner and Talks Up A Storm.
Plutonium, trained by Michael Young, is sure to prove hard to beat. He has impressed with stylish wins at his three outings after a 13-month injury-enforced absence. He is favourably drawn at barrier two.
Considerable interest will surround the return to racing of the brilliant, lightly-raced New Zealand-bred five-year-old Hampton Banner, who will start from the No. 4 barrier at his first appearance since he led from barrier four and won comfortably from Vespa over 2536m at Gloucester Park on March 4.
“Hampton Banner has excellent gate speed and I’d say that most likely we will be using it,” said reinsman Chris Lewis. “He has been working well and we’re happy enough with him.”
Lewis also has good prospects with Wall Street Girl and Three Rumours.
Wall Street Girl, trained by Debra Lewis, will start from barrier two in the 1730m HTA Rent A Gen Pace for three-year-old fillies. She warmed up for this assignment in fine style at Gloucester Park on Tuesday evening when she scored an easy victory over Bramante Steps, rating 1.58.4 over 2130m.
Wall Street Girl started from barrier two and Lewis did not bustle her in the early stages, and she settled down in third place before she dashed forward to burst to the front after 300m.
“It’s not a bad field on Friday night, but she is certainly in the mix, especially from the draw,” said Lewis.
The main dangers to Wall Street Girl are likely to be Taking The Miki (barrier six) and Im Themightylucy (barrier three on the back line). Taking The Miki, to be driven by Chris Voak for trainer Ross Olivieri, returned to racing after a five-month absence when she began speedily from barrier six and then trailed the pacemaker Free Wheeling before finishing second to that filly four weeks ago.
The Michael Young-trained Im Themightylucy has impressed at her four starts in WA with three wins and a splendid second to Wonderful To Fly.
Three Rumours, trained by Barry Howlett, will start from barrier one in the 2130m HTA Taking You To New Heights Pace. She resumed after a spell when she raced wide early and then without cover when an encouraging second to Midnight Whisper at Pinjarra on Wednesday of last week.
Three Rumours, Midnight Whisper, Alta Cinderella, Platinum Sparkle, Angel In White, American Arma and All The Bells will provide plenty of opposition to Eighteen Carat, who has scored effortless victories at her past three starts but faces a stern test from out wide at barrier eight.
Gary Hall Jnr looks set for a successful night during which he will drive several strong winning chances, including Rascal, Lord Rosco, Eighteen Carat, Never Ending, Plutonium and Cooper.
He hopes to make a flying start by winning the opening event, the 2130m Hoist Torque Australia Pace with the Katja Warwick-trained four-year-old Rascal, who will start from barrier four at his first appearance for two months.
Rascal was most impressive when he set the pace and won a four-horse 2185m Pinjarra trial on Wednesday of last week. He was driven by Emily Suvaljko and won by eight lengths from Free To Air, with final quarters of 27.9sec., 28.8sec. and 28.6sec.
“It will be handlebars down,” said Hall. “He has decent gate speed, and he rolls along. He is good enough to win, provided he’s on his best behaviour.”