Champion reinsman Anthony Butt will shortly return to his homeland New Zealand after a stint in Australia and he showed at Ballarat last Thursday why he is one of New Zealand’s best ever drivers.
Butt’s drive behind the Like A Gazelle in the mare’s maiden was an absolute pearler as he settled the daughter of Captain Crunch in the one out one back position from her awkward second row draw before making his run with around 600 metres to travel.
Like A Gazelle took off like a gazelle and quickly put a space on her rivals before coasting home eight metres clear of Missmalachite and Diamonty Queen.
Like A Gazelle became the second winner produced by her Bettors Delight dam Im Twice The Delight from three live foals and she is the dam of Lot 73 in the Nutrien Sydney Yearling Sale on March 8.
Lot 73, which is being offered by Galthorn Farm, is a colt by Sweet Lou and, in addition to Like A Gazelle, is a half brother to Our Sunset Delight which has 13 wins and $123,623 to his name including a heat of the Bathurst Gold Crown as a 2yo.
The grand dam of Lot 73, Trelise, is a half-sister to four $100,000 earners including the Group One winning mare Waitfornoone which is now the dam of three $100,000 earners herself.
A half-sister Trelise in Twice As Hot is the dam of Inter Dominion runner-up Flaming Flutter which won 30 races and $899,341 as well as being the grand dam of Nutrien Sales graduate We Walk By Faith which has a New Zealand Derby win and stakes of $532,522 on his resume.
Galthorn Farm are preparing Lot 73 and they can be contacted on 0417 221 959 to arrange a pre-sale inspection.
Meanwhile, Like A Gazelle’s trainer George Batsakis is hoping his mare doesn’t start stotting as that would be a monumental problem to overcome with a horse.