Butcher will compete against nine great rivals from Australia and Canada in the 20-race series on Friday and Saturday evenings.
He succeeds brother-in-law Carter Dalgety, who was the only Kiwi in last year’s inaugural Ultimate Driver, finishing ninth behind young Queenslander Angus Garrard.
Kiwi-born Dexter Dunn finished fourth, but he’s making waves in the US these days.
“As soon as I get my set of drives, I call friends and family and anyone who can help with form and homework,” Butcher said.
“A local won it last year (Garrard) and the advantage they get is undoubtedly knowing the horses. I will find out as much as I can about mine and their rivals.”
Butcher said knowing the horses was more important to him than not having ridden at Albion Park before.
“I’m surprised I didn’t ride there. Barry (Purdon) and Scotty (Phelan) had trips planned but for some reason they didn’t happen,” he said. “I’ve ridden in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, but not in Brisbane.
“It’s a bit like Cambridge, but without so much camber in the corners.
“From the races I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem easy to come back, get wide and get into the finish. At speed and close to the pins it seems like a big advantage.”
“The great thing about it is that it is about twenty races. That’s a lot. It’s not a series of five or six races, like many of them. It gives us visitors enough time to get the hang of things.”
Butcher was thrilled when he got the call from the Betit Boys syndicate to become their driver in the series.
“I went there for the second night last year to cheer on Carter and I absolutely loved it,” he said.
“I went home wanting to be part of it one day and for it to happen the next year is amazing. It’s a little bucket list thing for me, to be honest.
“Not only is it great racing with some fantastic drivers, but there’s also the whole social side of it. That camaraderie last year really impressed me.
“It’s a serious race, but not like a Miracle Mile or an NZ Cup where you’re really focused and you’re almost enemies with the rest.”
Like many drivers in the series, Butcher will have quite a support team on track.
“Mum (Wanda) and Dad (David) are coming over. My sister, Simone, is from Sydney and my cousin, Shane, will be there too,” he said. “It’s also great that Josh (Dickie) and Sammy (Kilgour) are coming along too.
“I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure it will be a weekend I will remember for a long time.”
Butcher and five-time champion Canadian driver James MacDonald are the international flavor this time.
They face eight outstanding Aussies: Cam Hart (NSW), Luke McCarthy (NSW), James Herbertson (Vic), Pete McMullen (Qld), Trista Dixon (Qld), Robbie Morris (NSW), Gary Hall Jr (WA) and Angus Garrard (Qld).
Garrard, Hall Jr and McMullen are the only three returning drivers after completing last year’s trifecta.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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