By MIKE DILLON
Get out a pen when Jim Gibbs says a team member could make a good stayer.
Gibbs took gold with class act Butterscotch in Saturday's $40,000 Lion Red Stakes at Rotorua, but put the wrap on minor race winner Anatomy after a runaway win.
The Matamata trainer has a bit of history with Anatomy, having won an Avondale Cup with her dam Maurine and rates the daughter a better type.
"She's a very scopey mare - she could make a good stayer one day."
Anatomy won a stakes race in Australia for owners Peter and Philip Vela, but fell victim to a tough virus when brought to New Zealand.
"She had this persistent cough when I first got her and twice I sent her home to recover," said Gibbs.
"She was good enough to finish third in the Soliloquy Stakes, but even after that she was still coughing.
"She's had a long spell and is completely recovered now."
Anatomy led in her 1400m race and Lance O'Sullivan had only to click her up on the home bend to win untested by a wide margin.
A carbon copy arrived later in the day, except this time it was Butterscotch and O'Sullivan sweeping past the leader Flying Babe to take the $40,000 feature.
Butterscotch's big frame and determination and class makes her a money Machine, but in typical style Gibbs is in no hurry.
He will attack the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Pukekohe then ease the mare over the Ellerslie and Trentham carnivals.
"I don't want her to race on the rock hard tracks and I don't want her knocked around in the mad rush in races like the Railway and the Telegraph.
Instead, Butterscotch will aim at the group one Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa in February then the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha.
Gibbs hasn't discounted taking Butterscotch to Australia, possibly for a race like the Doncaster Handicap, but is in no hurry.
"I know the stakes here aren't as good, but we're happy picking up what; s on offer at home.
"I wouldn't say I won't make a mad dash one day, but it's tough there.
"I've been over there and raced in all the top races and you need the right horse."
If you watched on Saturday, you'd have to think this is the right horse.
Flying Babe had her chance, but even with her light weight she couldn't match the enormous strength of Butterscotch.
The Jillings/Yuill stable had no luck in the $40,000 Centra Rotorua Stakes, Classic Babe missing out by a nose to Gisborne-trained Delightful after putting up a massive late dash from the back of the field.
The sprint Classic Babe produced will win her a decent race in the next couple of starts.
As one of the most improved horses in the country, Delightful deserved her win.
Royal Viper, She's Country and Boycott were all impressive in winning supporting races.
Racing: Butterscotch class, but watch Anatomy
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