Racing: Butcher plans Cambridge return

The interrupted career of one of New Zealand's most talented horsemen is set to resume later this month.

Outstanding reinsman David Butcher has been sidelined for three months after a horrific kick from a horse he trains left him in hospital with extensive internal injuries.

He feared at the time the accident could sideline him for as long as six months but is looking to return well ahead of schedule.

"I am hoping to be back driving here [Cambridge] on the 25th," says Butcher.

"I was pretty banged up there for a while and had a tube placed into my bowel but once the doctors removed that last week I was tired for a few days then started to improve quickly.

"I am having physical therapy and then hoping to be back driving at the workouts on the 19th."

One of the very few current reinsman to have driven the winner of the Inter Dominion Pacing Final, as well as the New Zealand and Auckland Cups, Butcher is also only the fourth driver to rein more than 2000 winners in New Zealand.

With many big money winners in Australia as well, his charges have earned in excess of $24 million.

"I don't have any big-name horses to come back to, like a New Zealand Cup drive.

"But I already have a few drives in the pipeline and it will just be good to get back." Butcher's injury was his second serious setback in the two past years, having suffered a torn pectoral muscle that robbed him of several months two seasons ago.

Meanwhile, with no meeting at Alexandra Park this week, the harness racing focus will be on Addington, where Sheemon contests the first open-class trot of the season, the Ordeal Cup.

The field for the biggest race of the harness weekend, the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday, is released today, while New Zealand Cup contender Arden Rooney, who won the Hunter Cup last season, resumes at Melton on Friday night off a 40m handicap.