Maiden win for new training partnership

RISING star Boots Electric registered a milestone victory at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Although they have been a couple since 2014, Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt formed a training partnership as of this season.

As such Boots Electric’s Group Three success was the initial win for the pair.

“Sonya does half the work around the place, so it’s only fair she gets half the credit,” Butt said.

“We made a decision to have the horses down as co-trained beginning in the new season, but it took a week for us to get the paperwork in and processed.”

Pleased with the four-year-old’s performance, Butt has no doubt Boots Electric can add to the team’s tally as he works through the grades.

“He’s got his share of ability and is still lightly-assessed,” Butt said. “There is no doubt he can win a few more yet.

“I hadn’t looked past last night’s series with him so I don’t know where he will head next, but there will be suitable options around for him.”

With Butt holding the reins, Boots Electric was caught three-wide from barrier six before being eased to the front as Im No Outlaw was eased to take a trail.

Striding clear along the home stride, the son of Somebeachsomewhere cruised to a seven-and-a-half metre win from Im No Outlaw.

Puntarno Stride – which is owned by the same connections as the winner – was three-and-a-half metres away third.

Raced by Emilio and Mary Rosati, Boots Electric rated 1:57.1 over 2240 metres to take his record to seven wins and four placings from 15 starts.

“He did it quite easily,” Butt said. “He wasn’t even out of second gear.”