Racing: Butcher hopeful Cowgirls N Indians will scalp rivals

David Butcher. Photo / Christine Cornege

David Butcher Champion driver David Butcher is ready to walk a tightrope at Cambridge tonight.

And it's one that could easily see him fall foul of punters.

Butcher pilots exciting juvenile filly Cowgirls N Indians in what will be her final hitout before the Harness Jewels at Ashburton on June 4.

The inexperienced filly is the favourite for her $150,000 division of the Jewels but has only had one start back off the unruly so Butcher will be hoping she does everything right tonight as well as not having a gut-busting run against older horses.

Because there are no suitable juvenile races this weekend, Cowgirls N Indians is forced to start against one- and two-win opponents, a rarity for a freshman filly.

And to make matters worse she will start from one on the second line behind a slow beginner in the 2200m mobile event.

Considering the race is only worth $5000 that may not seem a big deal but it is because Cowgirls N Indians will be a warm favourite.

"It makes it really tough," admits Butcher.

"Obviously, I want to win because I love winning but apart from last start I have been driving her for one run at the leaders and it has pretty much worked.

"Now she has a bad draw against horses who will be tougher than her so it could be a tricky race.

"I don't know how I'll drive her, a lot will depend on how fast they go, but as good as she is she could still get beaten."

That should sound as a warning for punters considering taking what are the invariably short odds on offer for fancied Butcher-driven, Ian Small-trained pacers.

She won't be the only Harness Jewels bound filly on show tonight, with Carpenters Daughter trying to cement her trip to Ashburton in the first on the card, which her gate speed will be a great aid in achieving.

Later on in the night, speedy local mare Suidelike Meisie gets her chance to pay punters back for her shocker on her return to the track last Thursday.

She is still well in the market for the 4-year-old mares Jewels but raced lengths below her best last week and will need to be much sharper in race eight tonight.

Meanwhile, Butcher will forgo the drive on one of his best Jewels chances, Gomeo Romeo, at Alexandra Park tomorrow night to partner Temepara Cullen in the NZ Oaks at Addington.

Gomeo Romeo will come off a 30m handicap in the feature at Alexandra Park and Butcher is adamant he can win the Jewels. "Tomorrow night's race will be a toughie for him because those big standing start fields are always tricky.

"But he can definitely win the Jewels with the right draw."

With 122 wins for the season Butcher is 54 clear of third-placed Tony Herlihy in the premiership but, for the third season in a row, a long way behind leader Dexter Dunn.

"If Dexter would go away for a while I might win a premiership," laughs Butcher. "I hear he might go to the States, which would be nice.

"But he is doing a lot of travelling and a great job so good luck to him.

"I would like to win one premiership but things are going well overall so I am happy."