Racing: Child's play for Butcher

Cambridge-based trainer-driver David Butcher took time out yesterday from his busy career as a professional horseman to enjoy another passion in his life - watching his children playing sport.

Butcher was in commanding form at Alexandra Park on Friday night teaming up with Okete Star to win the $100,000 Pyne Gould Guinness NZ Yearling Sales Series Final and also taking out the $100,000 City Of Auckland Free-For-All with pacing sensation Elsu.

Butcher co-trains Okete Star in partnership with his father John and the filly was the first 2-year-old the trainers have raced since champion filly Smooth Performer.

But just as important to Butcher is spending time watching two of his children play sport.

"I didn't go to the Saturday workouts at Cambridge on Saturday morning as I went and watched my son Ben play rugby and I'm off this afternoon to watch Simone play netball," said Butcher.

"Making time to watch my children is very important to me as I do spend a lot of time every day training the racehorses and travelling and driving at race meetings.

"I wouldn't label Okete Star as a superstar filly right now as she's only had two starts and has a lot to learn.

"She got lost when I punched her down into the passing lane on Friday night and she started to gawk around the track when she got up inside the leader and that made the winning margin less than I would've liked.

"I think she'll continue to develop and mature as a racehorse with further racing experience.

"The last 2-year-old filly we took to the racetrack was Smooth Performer and that was about 15 years ago. She was a natural athlete from day one but this filly is the type of athlete that will need time to learn what competing on the racetrack is all about."

It was a different situation for Butcher when handling Elsu in the $100,000 feature Free-For-All.

Butcher settled Elsu briefly into third position before punching the 5-year-old forward to lead for the closing 1800m.

From that point onwards the $2 million earner literally toyed with the opposition, clearing out in the home stretch to win by 1 1/2lengths over Alta Serena and Attorney General.

The 2200m was cut out in 2.40.4 (mile rate 1.57.3) with closing 800m and 400m sectional times of 56.3 seconds and 27.8 seconds.

"All the credit for the win with Elsu must go to trainer Geoff Small, as he had the horse ready to win.

"Elsu had a break of about one month and stepped out onto the track and dished up a pretty convincing display of power.

"I didn't want to get involved in the early speed war between Linford Christie and Sly Flyin so that's why I pulled back to third spot.

"As soon as the pace eased I pulled him out and sprinted forward to get the front and he was travelling well throughout the remainder of the race.

"Looking back on this season there has been just the one disappointment for me and that was when we were beaten by Just An Excuse in the New Zealand Cup.

"I spent a lot of time going over the race afterwards and all credit must go to Just An Excuse as he was within striking distance of us in front with 400m to run.

"He's the only Free-For-All horse in New Zealand that could outsprint us and he did that much to the horror of Geoff [Small] and I."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY