Harry stamps his mark on Breeders Crown night

Champion harness racing driver Anthony Butt flipped the script on the G1 $100,000 Breeders Crown final for 3YO trotting colts & geldings when he was able to find the lead off the mobile for an all-the-way win with Harry Stamper (Majestic Son).

The New Zealand bred trotter has shown excellent form since crossing the Tasman earlier in the year but has faced stern opposition from a stellar crop of three-year-old trotters that included tonight’s race rivals, Plymouth Chub (Majestic Son) and Cravache Dor (Orlando Vici).

Butt was able to boot through from his handy barrier position (2) with the Joe Pace trained trotter to park out champion juvenile, Plymouth Chubb, heading into the first bend.

As he has done for nearly 40 years, Butt rated his trotter expertly in front and dictated terms, with the Anton Golino trained Cravache Dor eventually working round to sit at the wheel of the leader.

The pair traded blows down the back straight but turning for home, Harry Stamper found a kick and never looked like being caught, claiming his second G1 victory for the season in the process.

They held out a gallant Cravache Dor by a margin of 5.1m with a fast-finishing Courage Stride a further 3m away in third.

“That was a real big thrill, said Anthony Butt post race.

“Joe Pace is a good mate of mine, really surprised and thrilled when I got the call up to drive him, so pleased I could get the job done for him,” he said.

The winning time for the 2240m journey was 2:44.0 with a slick last mile run in 1:57.8.

HARRY STAMPER REPLAY

The gelding was bred by Bev Williamson and C & G Porter and is raced by Sam Castro.

For complete Breeders Crown Night results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink