Racing: Butt unleashes more stars

Raglan faces a tough task in beating his speedy stablemate Stunn Cullen at Addington tonight. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Tim Butt knows this week's superstar comeback is going to be a little harder to pull off than last Friday.

Butt told Herald readers he expected stable pacing star Stunin Cullen to return to racing with a win at Addington last Friday and the speed machine obliged without raising a sweat.

Stunin Cullen is back tonight and expected to win again even though he is stepping up in class and distance, but it will be the return of stablemate Ray which creates even greater interest.

The 6-year-old hasn't raced since the Dominion Handicap nearly two years ago, with leg problems sidelining him.

Yet he is rated a potential champion by Butt, who is an expert of trotting heroes.

Not only has Butt trained our two richest-ever trotters in Lyell Creek and Take A Moment but he owns our best trotter at present in Stig, although his career is looking increasingly endangered by recurring leg problems.

Butt is not saying Ray, who resumes in race one tonight, is as good as that trio but he says he is the real deal.

"If he stays sound then he will be a top open-class trotter, maybe as good as anything we have going around at the moment," said Butt.

"He has unreal speed for a trotter and good stamina."

Ray showed that during a spectacular rise through the classes two years ago, one that prompted Butt to pitch him into the 2008 Dominion against Stig after just 13 starts.

Injury struck soon after and Ray made his first public appearance since at the Rangiora workouts last Saturday, running King Charlie close in the main trotting heat. "He trotted his last 400m in just over 27 seconds, which is remarkable considering he has been away from the track for so long," says Butt.

"He could be a very, very good horse and even though he will be well short of his best this week he could still win because he is that good."

Ray faces a big field of handy rivals off a tricky draw at the inside of the 10m mark.

At his best he would win easily but punters wouldn't want to take ridiculously short odds under tonight's conditions.

But you can feel safe doing so about Stunin Cullen though in race seven.

He toyed with mediocre opponents to win his comeback last Friday but has improved with that, working in sharp style this week.

"He has been working like a really good open-class pacer," says Butt.

"So he should win again."

Butt can say that with confidence as he also trains two of Stunin Cullen's toughest rivals in Raglan and Cullen's Creek.

"Stunin Cullen will beat Raglan for speed while Cullen's Crown has improved a bit this season but doesn't have the outright class of the other horse. He [Stunin Cullen] is good from a stand and the small field helps so I am confident."

Butt is wheeling out some of his better horses tonight and says The Big Mach (race two) and Bargain Basement (race eight) have chances.

"The Big Mach is in a nice field so maybe he is a better place chance but Bargain Basement has raced far better fields than he meets tonight and I think he can win."

Butt also warns Pick6 punters need Absolute Classic in race six.

"He is a smart 3-year-old and if he races up to his ability he will go around in some Sires' Stakes heats. He is definitely better than maiden grade."

He won't be the most-hyped 3-year-old at tonight's meeting though, with Empyrean looking for his fourth win on end in race three.

The Cran Dalgety-trained pacer has looked a Derby contender in the past month and gives driver Dexter Dunn a huge shot at an early double.

Dunn also partners the greatly-improved mare Let's Talk Art in race two, in which she chases her fifth win on end.