Racing: Butcher hopeful of big weekend

One of New Zealand's most aggressive reinsmen is conceding the chances of a weekend treble could be dictated by the tactics of those around him.

David Butcher has established a reputation for being proactive, rather than reactive, but says that isn't the way to tackle his three massive tasks this weekend: the A$1 million Interdominion Final, the $150,000 Pascoes Northern Oaks and the $50,000 NZ Herald Free-For-All.

Butcher's Interdominion drive, Changeover, has fallen from grace after two defeats in the heats and he will start at huge odds for a horse with his record in Sunday's final at Menangle.

However, De Lovely (Oaks) and Tintin In America (Free-For-All) will carry huge amounts of punters' money at Alexandra Park tomorrow night, even though Butcher says both will need the tempo of the race to suit them.

De Lovely has looked a sensational filly at her best but meets three standout rivals from the Mark Purdon stable: Lancome, Meredith Maguire and Secret Potion.

The last-mentioned beat De Lovely in their final lead-up last Friday though that defeat does not dent Butcher's confidence.

"Secret Potion went great but the only reason she caught us was my filly hit the wall at the 50m," said Butcher.

"She had had only one easy run at the workouts to get ready for last week and she just blew out.

"I know she will improve for this week but the question is, how much?"

Butcher says barrier four is tricky for De Lovely as she can not afford to burn too much early in an Oaks field containing plenty of depth.

"If we go hard then we will cop pressure in the middle stages because there will be plenty of moves in the race.

"So I am hoping we can get one run at them because she is very fast but I can see it being a tricky race. But I know she is good enough to win."

Anybody who has seen Tintin In America's explosive form of the past six months knows he is good enough to win but Butcher has a word of warning for punters.

"It is a week out from the Auckland Cup so this is not the time to be changing our tactics.

"We have been driving him for one run at them and we will do that again.

"So if they go hard and we get the right cart into it we can win but if they dawdle then we might struggle to get over the top. I think it is important the punters to realise that."

As for Sunday, Butcher says Changeover is not going quite as poorly as some people might think.

"He is a stayer, who is at his best when he follows a really good speed but I haven't had the chance to drive him like that is the heats because the job was to qualify," he said.

"But on Sunday, we are drawn to be off the speed and a lot will depend on how hard they go.

"If they run like there is no tomorrow then horses like him, Mr Feelgood and a few others come into play. If they get an easy section up front we won't catch the leaders."

Butcher said the latter scenario would give Our Awesome Armbro a chance on Sunday.

"If he sits in the trail behind Washakie he can get some of it."

HAT-TRICK HOPES
* David Butcher has key drives in the feature races on both sides of the Tasman this weekend.
* He will partner two of the favourites in the big races at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.
* Butcher then heads to Sydney to drive Changeover in Sunday's Interdominion Pacing Grand Final.
* Changeover's stablemate Our Awesome Armbro has emerged as a surprise place chance in the final.