The Dear Lou The six-year-old, who has won 13 races, will make her final race day appearance in the main pace of the day, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Lake Taupo Summer Cup (4.17pm).
After the race she goes to the broodmare paddock because she is pregnant with Legendary Hanover.
“I’d like to help her up,” Butcher says.
After starting with Ross Paynter, You Little Beauty has made 40 starts and seven wins for Butcher since he took over her training in August 2024.
She is one of three Butcher-trained runners in the Cup, alongside Hooray Henry and Louezyana.
Butcher will propel You Little Beauty into her swan song, while sons Zachary and Benjamin will care for Hooray Henry and Louezyana.
You, Little Beauty and Louezyana, start 10 meters, 10 ahead of their other stablemate.
“It’s a strong field,” Butcher says, “it won’t be easy.”
You Little Beauty opened at $7 on the fixed odds market, with last-start winner American Me (45m) and The Surfer (30m) the favorites at $3.40 and $4.40.
Butcher has a busy day as harness racing heads to Taupo Racing Club for the first time.
He has “pretty much the whole team there.”
Eight of his own horses will race, while he will have ten races on the thirteen-race schedule, some of which look like handy chances in either direction.
He is training two in Race 2, the NZMCA Pop At Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace – Enzo ($4FF), which he will ride, and Desistella ($6.50) with son Benjamin in the sulky.
“Enzo can be a bit of a noddy,” says Butcher, “he has ability, but I’ve had to do two gallops on him twice.”
Butcher has only had him for a few weeks after being with son Zachary, and he recently came second in a trial.
In Race 3, the February/March Skyline packs are now available for purchase. Trot – Butcher will ride with another member of his team in the favorite Brother Johnson ($2.60).
“He is getting his fitness back, loving the grass and doing everything well, so hopefully we can get a spot with him.”
Another well-supported runner is Valerei ($4.80), who is new to Race 4, the Hire A Venue at Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace.
The Vincentius four-year-old placed twice from seven starts last campaign.
“He can be a bit on and off, but from the draw (2) he has half a chance of getting some money.”
The other Butcher-trained and driven runner is Caulfield ($7) in Race 12, the Beta Vet Mobile Pace.
“He’s so consistent and races well on the grass. He has a shot at a spot.”
Butcher’s outdoor rides are:
Race 5: The Elite Athlete ($13)
Duck 6: Badger ($5.50)
Race 7: Eastwood Admiral ($5.50)
Race 8: Keep it Classy ($10)
Race 13: Ragnar Lothbrok ($4.50)
The first race will take place at 11.30am with the field size limited to 10 due to the unique nature of the Taupo circuit.
To see the Taupo fields click here
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