Anthony Butt usually has a plan.
And the one he has hatched for this Saturday's A$750,000 Miracle Mile harness race at Menangle could turn the great race on its head.
Butt, these days based in Victoria, has been shoulder-tapped by Mark Purdon to drive Smolda, one of his three chances in the Mile.
Purdon will stick with race favourite Lazarus while training partner Natalie Rasmussen will drive stablemate Our Waikiki Beach, leaving Butt to pinch hit.
One of the most analytical drivers in the industry, Butt did that to perfection in his only other drive behind Smolda, leading and downing Lazarus and Lennytheshark in the Ballarat Cup last month.