Pivotal moment for trainer Butler
10:22am Saturday 15th March 2008
GERARD Butler has high hopes of a big run from Silver Pivotal in the betdirect.com Winter Derby at Lingfield today.
The lightly-raced four-year-old filly is favourite to land a Group Three contest at the first attempt despite being quite inexperienced, with just five starts.
She warmed up for a crack at this £56,700 first prize with victory in a handicap over the course and distance seven weeks ago in her first race since May.
This has been the plan for a very long time. We're looking forward to a good run from her,'' said Butler.
Jamie Spencer has been very pleased with her work at home and she has had a good preparation for the race.
She won over the course and distance on January 26. We'd planned it like this so it doesn't make any difference to her.
She's all set for tomorrow.'' Red Moloney has travelled across from the Emerald Isle to represent Kevin Prendergast, having won four times last season and twice at Listed level.
Prendergast said: He's in good shape but whether he'll be up to that standard I don't know.
We'll soon find out tomorrow though, he came on all last year and he won his last start well on the dirt at Dundalk.
That mightn't have been a great race but he has progressed up to a mark of 110 over here and hopefully he'll have improved a bit."
Prendergast underlines Zaham, winner of the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, as one he is particularly wary of.
It looks a pretty good race and Mark Johnston's horse (Zaham) seems to be very good,'' the County Kildare trainer added.