Racing: Stewards allow Butt to drive in interdominion finals

Anthony Butt

Champion New Zealand driver Anthony Butt has been cleared to partner Genius in Sunday's Interdominion Trotting Final.

Butt had expected to miss the drive after being suspended for four weeks at Ballarat on January 28.

He appealed against that suspension and drove in the Victoria Derby under a stay of proceedings last week.

Yesterday his suspension was reduced to two weeks.

In an unusual show of generosity, Victorian stewards delayed the start of the suspension until Monday.

Thanks to that concession Butt will be able take the reins behind one-time series favourite Genius, a huge help to the trotter who has struggled to corner well during this series.

Butt wasn't the only winner at the appeals tribunal yesterday.

Queensland driver Luke McCarthy also had his suspension reduced and delayed until Monday.

That means he can drive Slipnslide in Sunday's A$500,000 Hunter Cup.