Butcher has driven 97 winners this season and he has combined successfully with several members of the stable.
Butcher and Foxton trainer Scaife are being sponsored to the four meetings at Forbury Park this month by Gerald Cayford, of Acme Metal and Drum, Dunedin.
Cayford has a share in the Scaife horses, Moncrieffe, Hint Of Scandal and Mr Dann.
The races for 4yr-olds at the Harness Jewels at Ashburton next year will also be open to 5yr-olds.
The board of Harness Racing New Zealand decided on the change to slow the sale of horses overseas and extend the racing life of mares.
The stake levels for the series next season have been retained at $150,000 for pacers and $100,000 for trotters. Finalists will continue to be determined on stake earnings in races other than sale series events.
HRNZ will encourage clubs staging 4yr-old races to open them to 5yr-olds.
HRNZ has resolved to increase the driving fee by $5 to $70 from August 1, the beginning of the new season.
HRNZ considered submissions from the New Zealand Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers Association seeking an increase. The $65 fee has applied since 2008.
The $70 fee is plus 5% of any stake over $200 earned by a horse in the first five placings.
The driving fee for trials is $10.
