Racing: $1m - the price of brotherly love on the racetrack

Tim Butt has trained many top horses in his career, few better than star trotter Take A Moment, one of three New Zealand square-gaiters to have won more than $1 million in stakes. Photo / APN

Tim Butt realises everything in racing has its price - even brotherly love.

And at A$1 million he can understand his brother Anthony ditching his stable runner Raglan in tomorrow night's Interdominion Final in Perth.

Anthony has been driving Raglan, trained by Tim, in major races around Australia this season but after partnering both him and Auckland Reactor in the Interdom heats has chosen to stay with the latter.

"Ants is a professional and that is how he makes his money, so I have no problem with it," says Tim.

"He is doing what he considers best for him and that is the business we are in. While he is a great driver I look at it this way, if the horse is good enough to win, he will still win."

Raglan will now be driven by NSW horseman Darren Hancock, who has not driven at Gloucester Park since winning the 2004 final on Jofess.

"Darren will do the right thing by Raglan but I think I'm Themightyquinn is just about a certainty. He is flying."

Butt has his hands full at three venues this weekend and won't even make it to Perth as he is in Sydney with Elusive Chick for the A$200,000 NSW Oaks on Saturday night.

She was luckless in her prelude when losing 30m in an early gallop and drawn barrier one Butt thinks she can win the classic.

"I have changed her shoes and she is eating and drinking better so she will go very close," he told the Herald.

However, he does warn punters to be careful with his team on tomorrow night's opening of the Auckland Cup carnival at Alexandra Park.

Vulcan and Choise Achiever return after group one wins in Australia but he says they will be underdone after an easy time since last racing.

"They will both improve with the run but the horse I really rate at the moment is Mah Sish.

"I think he has more long-term potential than Choise Achiever and could be the sneaky in the Auckland Cup next week."

Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi trainer Brent Mangos is thrilled with Bettor Cover Lover heading into Saturday night's A$200,000 Ladyship Mile at Menangle.

The glamour mare is the $2.75 favourite after drawing barrier two and has worked well this week.

"She paced a half in 55.5 seconds at Alexandra Park last Saturday and has worked well since, so she is spot on," said Mangos.

"And the draw suits her because she should settle handy in the running line without doing too much."