In search of another successful hit-and-run mission

VICTORIAN based horseman Anthony Butt is hoping for another successful hit-and-run mission during the weekend.

As he has during the past three weeks, Butt will head to Queensland for Saturday night’s premier meeting.

Butt’s previous trips have seen him capture the Redcliffe Derby with Krug and the Wondai’s Mate Free-For-All at Albion Park with Copy That.

The latter also finished second behind Amazing Dream in last weekend’s Rising Sun.

This time around Butt will partner Copy That and Amazing Dream, along with Tommy Lincoln and American Dealer in Albion Park features.

“I’ve got some pretty good drives on the card and looking forward to getting back up there,” Butt said.

“They’ve all got strong chances of winning…it’s just a matter of getting the right run on the night.”

American Dealer will kick-start Butt’s evening in the South East Derby, where the Ray Green-trained colt has drawn the outside of the front row.

“He did well winning last week’s Rising Sun Consolation and is going to be hard to beat again,” Butt said. “The draw has made it a little tough on him, but he’s going well enough to win.”

Butt and Green will then combine to contest the Four-Year-Old Championship with Tommy Lincoln.

Also a last start winner, Tommy Lincoln will begin from the middle of the back line.

“He’s got great gate speed and is better suited to coming off the front,” Butt said. “It’s not an ideal draw for him.

“With the right trip he‘ll play a role in the finish.”

Amazing Dream will then take her position in the Golden Girl as she aims for consecutive Group Ones.

Drawn barrier four for trainer Nathan Purdon, Amazing Dream will slot into three with the removal of the emergency.

The daughter of Bettors Delight is one of two Purdon runners in the field, with Spellbound to come from the pole.

“Amazing Dream has proven herself over and over and is the one to beat again,” Butt said. “It’s hard not to be confident when you’re driving a mare as good as her.”

Another trained by Green, Copy That will begin from barrier five in the Sunshine Sprint.

“It’s a tough race, which is what you expect at that level,” Butt said. “King Of Swing is the one to beat even from the back row, but we’ll be doing our best.”