Winning races is fun for Zac Butcher - but beating his dad is even better.
The Auckland horseman could not hold out out his father, David, in the sixth and final heat of the youth versus experience invited drivers series at Waikouaiti yesterday, finishing eighth with Chief Kapai, while David ended up fourth-equal with Midnight Warrior.
However, Zac Butcher's eighth placing - backed up by a win and two seconds in five of the other heats - was enough to claim the $2000 cheque for the leading driver in the series, and also helped the youth team to a second straight win in the series, collecting 243.5 points to the experience team's 229.5.
Yesterday's series was Butcher's first time driving at Waikouaiti, as he couldn't attend last year's series due to commitments working for Clevedon trainer Barry Purdon.
''I was always booked in this year to come down. They do a lot for us to get these days off the ground and get us six drives. I'm just thankful to the club and everyone that organised it.''
Butcher (23) regularly takes on his father at Cambridge and Alexandra Park, but he rued not beating him home in the final heat yesterday.
''I don't like getting beaten by the old man. He ended up beating me but I got the [series] win in the end, so that was good.''
Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope won the $2000 prize for the leading trainers on the day, thanks to a second placing from Bandana in the final race on the card.
Butcher was fairly consistent on his way to the title yesterday and looking at Onedin Mach's record, it would be hard to find too much to fault about it, either.
But it's what you can't see that has forced the 4yr-old to move from Ryal Bush to the sand and surf of Westwood Beach.
Graeme Anderson took over the training of the son of Mach Three several weeks ago, after Ryal Bush trainer Nathan Williamson and owner Neville Cleaver figured out what to do about Onedin Mach's troublesome feet.
''Nathan and Neville decided to send him up, which is good of Nathan, because he realised a horse with a lot of ability needed a change,'' Anderson said.
''We got his feet right and the straight line [training] and he enjoyed it, as they all do.''
Williamson was in the winner's circle earlier in the day though thanks to Booster, who made it four wins on end but is yet to step up to maiden grades.
The 4yr-old has done his recent racing in the maiden claiming grade, which is penalty-free, and picked up another penalty-free win in the second heat of the drivers series.
Booster was claimed by junior driver Rory McIlwrick in early February.
''Rory picked him out. He thought he was a really competitive maiden,'' Williamson said.
''He bought him for $7000 so he's more or less picked up his purchase price back racing in the same grade.''
