Downey on a high after victory

PROMINENT couple Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt just keep producing winners.

An instant hit since relocating to Victoria late last year, Smith and Butt have been successful from maiden to Group level on a regular basis.

Along with a strong stable of pacers and trotters, the Smith/Butt team’s triumphs include numerous concession drivers, which as of the weekend, have all made their way into the winners’ circle as members of the ‘Stride Squad’.

Stride is the moniker used by prominent owners Emilio and Mary Rosati.

In what has been referred to a ‘learning stable’ given the vast knowledge accessible to the next generation, the young guns include foreman Brad Chisholm, Olivia Weidenbach and Tom Downey, who registered his initial Smith/Butt-prepared victory with Turquoise Stride in Cranbourne.

Downey joined the ‘Stride Squad’ last month.

“I’m loving it here,” Downey said. “I’m surrounded by great people and top horses.

“Son and Ants have created a terrific working environment to be a part of and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”

Having his second drive for the stable, Downey led throughout with Turquoise Stride, which rated 1:59.9 over 2080 metres as Supreme Dominator and Mystic Castle filled the placings.

The son of Somebeachsomewhere stretched his record to four wins and two thirds from 12 starts.

“I drove him at his last start where he went well and I was pretty confident in his chances this time,” Downey said.

“Once he was able to lead and got a breather in the middle section my confidence grew.

“It got close at the finish, but he held on which is the main thing.”

Turquoise Stride is becoming a sentimental favourite given Chisholm, Weidenbach and Downey have won with the three-year-old.

“I’d be a bit worried if I was the odd one out and didn’t get a win with him,” Downey said. “Zac (Phillips) who does a fair bit of driving for Son and Ants has also won with him.”