High hopes for recent stable acquisition

By PAUL COURTS

NEWLY-ADOPTED Australian Tim Butt has high hopes for a recent purchase which will debut at Tabcorp Park Menangle on tonight.

Bought by stable clients earlier this month, Gentleman Sir will begin his Aussie career in a 2300-metre mobile where he has drawn the outside of the front row.

Despite the trotter’s starting position, Butt is confident the son of Love You can make an instant impact for his owners.

Gentleman Sir won his last two New Zealand starts before crossing the Tasman, with the most recent at Manawatu three weeks ago.

The five-year-old boasts six wins and five placings from 14 starts, with his placings including a second – beaten a head – in the Harness Jewels last June.

“It looks like quite a nice race to kick off with him,” Butt said. “Hopefully he can hit the ground running.

“The draw isn’t the best, but he does have the class to overcome it. He has definitely got a lot of untapped raw ability, so there is plenty to go with.

“I worked him at Menangle this morning and he’s still got a wee bit to learn.”

Should the gelding perform to expectations, Butt will head to Victoria next month with some key targets part of the schedule.

“He is a work in progress and is still pretty green, but I’m hoping he can develop into a Grand Circuit horse,” Butt said. “He’ll have a couple of starts at Menangle, then head to Melton.

“If he goes as well as I think he can, he’ll then go to Bendigo for the Maori Mile early in the New Year.”