Don't let a 20m handicap put you off Ohoka Rebel at Addington tonight because he hasn't finished winning yet.
That is the opinion of trainer-driver David Butt as he eyes 10 unbeaten starts with the comeback 5-year-old.
Ohoka Rebel has won three races this campaign since returning from
a mystery ailment which robbed him of most of last season.
And while his recent form has earned him the backmark in tonight's main race, Butt says better things lie ahead for the gelding.
"I think he could end up in open class," said Butt.
"I am not saying he is going to be a Changeover or anything like that, but I get the feeling he will at least get to that mark."
Butt and his wife Catherine, who train in partnership, doubted Ohoka Rebel would make it that far last season when a persistent blood complaint kept him from the track.
"We were having a lot of problems with his white blood cell count, which was a lot lower than it should have been.
"But this campaign he has been a lot better and I am very happy with him."
Ohoka Rebel thrashed a better field than he meets tonight last start courtesy of a fast beginning in the Kurow Cup and he could need something similar to get a decent position in tonight's 2600m standing start.
But he has shown that at his best he can work and still find the line strongly, while he is also aided by having only 11 rivals tonight.
"I would like to think he could win this because maybe he could be a Kaikoura Cup-type horse," said Butt, who should know as he won that race last season with Bondy.
Butt did warn punters that Kiwi Fantasy was the one to beat tonight.
"She did a good job in a better field at Rangiora last Sunday and she looks the toughest to catch."
Butt, one of the south's most respected drivers and a two-time premiership winning trainer, surprisingly only has one other drive tonight.
He will partner the enigmatic but talented mare Hazel Maud in race eight, the fourth leg of the $100,000 Pick6.
"The way she went last start she would have to be a chance," said Butt.
"Apparently she has disappointed at the workouts since but on ability she is a definite winning chance."
