Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Rejuvenated eight-year-old James Butt’s two wins for trainer-reinsman Chris Voak since entering his Pinjarra stables have been when he has led all the way earlier this year.
But he was seen in a different role on Friday night when he was a $24.80 chance from a wide barrier at No. 8 in the 2130m Nova 93.7 Celebrates $10K A Day in May Pace.
James Butt appreciated a change in his frequent racing pattern of leading, and he proved an excellent sit-sprinter when he followed the three-wide run of Alcopony in the final lap to burst to the front 25m from the post and win by a length from the pacemaker Rascal ($4.80), with the breeze horse Classic Choice ($7.50) getting to a narrow lead on the home turn.
The $1.95 favourite Watts Up Sunshine raced in the ideal one-out, one-back position but was hopelessly blocked for a clear run in the final circuit when a most unlucky seventh.
“James Butt has come back after a little freshen-up, with a fifth and a second before this win,” said Voak. “He is rewarding us with all the hard work we have put in. His legs are now as good as gold — after being laid low twice with suspensory ligament damage.”
Those leg injuries kept James Butt out of action for 30 months. Voak never lost faith in the New Zealand-bred gelding, and he and his wife Asha patiently nursed him back to full fitness. James Butt has raced 17 times for Voak over the past nine months for three wins and five placings, taking his career record to 54 starts for 12 wins, 18 placings and stakes of $154,961.
After driving James Butt to victory Voak had the unusual achievement of notching five seconds later in the program — with Gliding Star, Miss Boudica, Taking the Miki, Carrera Mach and Carabao.
Then on Saturday night Voak took one stable runner (Half Kidding) to Narrogin where he guided the four-year-old and $1.40 favourite to a nine-length victory over Dukes Empire.