Classy trotter’s impressive racing return

CLASSY trotter Sassy Pants made an impressive racing return at Club Menangle tonight.

First-up since last October, the Tim Butt-trained mare captured the Group Two The La Coocaracha in effortless fashion.

Thrilled with the five-year-old’s performance, Butt plans to give Sassy Pants a short campaign ahead of another freshen-up in preparation for a host of majors.

The Inter Dominion, which is scheduled to begin in Menangle on November 28, is at the top of Butt’s list.

“She is a high speed mare which is getting better with a bit age behind her,” Butt said. “I think she will really come into her own over the next 12 months and be highly competitive in the bigger races next season.

“I’ll keep her ticking along now and look to give her a short break a little later down the track to hopefully have her as sharp as she is now when the big races come along.”

Driven by Butt’s brother, Anthony, Sassy Pants began quickly to lead from barrier seven as the favourite Hotjane Bling worked hard in the ‘death seat’.

Shrugging off the initial challenge turning for home, the daughter of Majestic Son sprinted to a three-metre win from Rolling Secret, with Revy Jay eight-and-a-half metres away third.

“That was a pretty good run from her,” Butt said. “I was only able to give her one trial so she wasn’t as wound up as I would normally have her.

“She finished third in that race last season and has certainly kept improving since then.”

Covering the mile in 1:55.6, Sassy Pants provided the Butts with the opening leg of a double, with the pair combining to round of the program with Majestic Courtney.

Also leading throughout, Majestic Courtney stopped the clock in 1:54.8 over 1609 metres.

A well-performed son of Majestic Son, the squaregaiter stretched his record to 14 wins and two seconds from 29 starts.

“I was happy with his run,” Butt said. “He’s probably not going as well as he was last season, and I was looking to send him for a spell, but it’s hard to give him a break when he’s back to winning form.

“I’ll see what is around for him and how he goes over his next couple of starts and go from there.”