"He worked well enough the Saturday before, and he seemed well enough in himself that we thought we'll give him a run and hopefully the race will get off the ground."
The Spring Cup failed to attract enough numbers to support a race last year, but seven horses have accepted which could be crucial for Pembrook Benny with the New Zealand Cup in mind.
"Getting this one under his belt will be a huge help," Butcher said.
"He's pretty well. He seems pretty happy at home. I don't think the year on him has made any difference.
"We're hoping he wins, but at the end of the day, we wouldn't be surprised if some thing beats him."
The Barry Purdon-trained ageless warrior won the 2011 edition of the Spring Cup and Butcher said little had changed in Benny's early season routine as he enters his eighth season of racing.
"He's usually fairly consistent [coming up] but he is a 10-year-old. I had a good look at him after he worked today and he's still got a little bit of fat on him.
"The more races you get under the belt, the better he will be, so he'll only improve with the run.
"He's only going in 80 to 85 per cent [fit], but he's the class horse."
The conditions of the race have fallen very much in Pembrook Benny's favour.
He is assessed at open class, yet will start alongside Lets Elope, Averil's Quest and Norvic Nightowl off a 25m handicap.
Te Kawau and Beyond The Silence will start off the front line, with The Wild Card starting from behind the 10m tapes.
"He's off a pretty good mark and on the way he steps, he should be right there in the first 200m.
"If the run goes his way, hopefully he's got too much speed up the straight."
Pembrook Benny's trip to Christchurch last year was kept as late as possible, but Butcher said his departure south this year will depend on the availability of races in the North Island.
Priscillas Girl (R1) stays in the same grade after winning a junior drivers race two weeks ago, and Butcher has no qualms about the second-line barrier draw.
"It's probably a good draw for her - she doesn't have to burn early and she doesn't have blazing gate speed anyway, so she can just sit in and follow early and if we have to go round, we can go round after."
Hartofdixie - a half-sister to Victoria Derby winner Maxim - should improve on her debut fifth a fortnight ago in the eighth race tonight, Butcher said.
Backing a winner
Best bet: Ideal Flybe (Alexandra Park, R5, No 8) Never mind the draw -- she took care of a similar field two weeks ago and can win again with a touch of luck.
Each-way: Pomme Roy (Alexandra Park, R3, No 4) Race winner as a 2-year-old and beat stable mate in quick Motukarara workout a fortnight ago.
Outside the square: Moment Of Truth (Alexandra Park, R9, No 11): Cracking record on the course, and race conditions suit. Plus, it's the slogan of the week.
- Otago Daily Times
