Brother Tim, the training brains of the unofficial partnership, has been disqualified for six months on a controversial drugs charge in Sydney and has decided not to appeal because of the costs involved.
So Anthony is now the trainer of millions of dollars of horseflesh at Premier Stables and that includes two of the favourites on Saturday.
And for good measure he will drive New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love in the 4-year-old Emerald, meaning Butt is in for one of the most testing days of his stellar career on Saturday.
He is understandably disappointed Tim won't be running the family operation this weekend but says the figures just didn't stack up.
"Tim was very keen to appeal because he feels he was hard done by but it simply would have cost too much and those things are very hard to win," said Anthony.
That leaves Anthony in charge of Thanesan - who is the favourite for the 4-year-old trot even from a second line draw - and Elusive Chick, who he is tipping to be a big improver in the 3-year-old fillies pace.
Thanesan is the only trotter at the Jewels who has been racing against open class opponents, beating a genuine topliner in Clover Don two starts ago.
From a good barrier he would have been an odds-on favourite on Saturday, from barrier 12 he has got out to $3 fixed odds, helped by a $7500 punt on key rival Irish Whisper. "The draw makes it harder but he follows out a fast beginner and I am sure he can still win," says Butt.
"He has been going great races against open class trotters and I couldn't be happier with where he is at.
"And I won't be scared to put him in the race because at Cambridge you have to be handy."
Elusive Chick was below her best in the NZ Oaks last start but has been one of our best pacing fillies all season, albeit with no luck.
"She is better now than she was Oaks night at Addington and I think she can win but they are a very even crop and that is one of those races where luck in the running is going to pay a key role."
Butt isn't expecting too much bad luck with Terror To Love, on whom he will try for an all-the-way win.
"I think punters can forget about his failure in the Messenger last start," Butt advises. "He was attacked a few times and then his tyre came off the rim at the 1400m mark.
"But he showed winning the Taylor Mile the start before how hard he can be to catch so that will be the plan this week."
In other Jewels news, trainer Mark Purdon has advised HRNZ tests taken from star 3-year-old Smolda have shown no serious problems after his shock defeat at Alexandra Park last Friday.
The NSW Derby winner was found to have a slight lung infection after Friday night but nothing long-term and can be expected to strip at his peak on Saturday.
Still, he has lost favouritism and maybe some of his intimidation factor, especially with Ideal Scott drawn inside him and trialling brilliantly on Sunday.
HOT SEAT
* Anthony Butt's day at the Harness Jewels have got a lot more serious.
* The freelance driver is now the confirmed trainer at Premier Stables after his brother Tim's disqualification.
* That means Anthony could have two realistic shots at training a group one winner.
* Thanesan looks value at $3 in the TAB markets.
