Trainer Jack Butler right at home in the Sunshine State

TO his great relief, Bathurst-raised Jack Butler has been living in Queensland for 15 months and hasn’t looked like kicking the bucket.

Trainer Jack Butler is loving life in the Sunshine State since moving from Bathurst. Picture: Jono Searle

TO his great relief, Bathurst-raised Jack Butler has been living in Queensland for 15 months and hasn’t looked like kicking the bucket.

We are not talking about a man in danger of going to that big harness racing track in the sky, just one forced to take desperate measures on chilly mornings.

“There were times in Bathurst when I got up in the morning and had to kick the water buckets to unfreeze them so the horses could have a drink,’’ said in-form trainer Butler.

“I really loved Bathurst and people were great to us but I haven’t missed the weather. I have seen snow in Bathurst. It still happens.’’

Better weather was one reason why Butler headed in the opposite direction to the string of trainers migrating from Queensland to NSW in search of the richer pickings of the new Menangle setup.

Driven by a love for Queensland he developed as a child, Butler defied all sorts of advice urging him to stay where he was to move here with his wife and two children.

His reward has been 100-plus winners in 15 months since he bought the Logan Village property once owned by John McCarthy. His progress has caught the eye of southern owners and trainers who now regularly send horses to him.

Butler was effectively adopted by leading trainer Steve Turnbull and his wife Jenny as a 10-year-old and came with them to Queensland during their annual winter pilgrimages.

“Coming to Queensland (to live) was one thing I had always wanted to do,” Butler said. “I had lived in Bathurst my whole life and I owe everything to Steve and Jenny.

“I have been trying to talk my wife into coming up here for years. We were having a good time down there and doing a good job but we could not really get the good clients. It’s been super here. We love it. Since being here it has been so much warmer. It is easier to work horses here.’’

Butler used to drive his own horses but now prefers to have lighter drivers in the gig.

In bygone eras weight was not an issue but Butler believes it is now.

“It does make a difference,” he said. “I have Amy Rees driving for me. She weighs 54kg and I am 94kg. I had my fun as a driver. What changed my view was when Amanda Turnbull came along. When I was driving against her no matter what I did she beat me. And she beat a lot of others.’’

TROT SPOT

Graham spreads wings

Promising driver Brittany Graham is doing her bit to market the harness racing industry.

She last week sent out a tweet asking for feedback over whether people would be interested in her providing a brief form analysis of her drives. After 60 likes and nine retweets she took the plunge and her early insights have been well received.

Brittany Graham is using social media to provide form analysis of her drives. Picture: Mark Calleja

Big pool

Punters are liking the attractive pool bonuses at Albion Park and this week’s $50,000 injection to the trifecta pool for the first race on Saturday is sure to catch interest.

Kiwi invader

Champion New Zealand pacer Christen Me made a welcome return to action last weekend winning first-up in the Rangiora Classic in Christchurch.

The Cran Dalgety highly decorated trained gelding now looks destined for an Australian campaign that will take in features both in Sydney and Brisbane.

The $100,000 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on June 26 coupled with features at Albion Park during July highlighted by the $200,000 Blacks A Fake are immediate targets for the dual millionaire open class star.

Sky’s the limit

Sky Major, a brilliant pacer with multiple feature race triumphs for champion Auckland trainer Barry Purdon before recently joining the stables of outstanding young Perth horseman Justin Prentice could be a ‘‘bolter’’ for the upcoming Brisbane winter carnival.

The Art Major entire had the hobbles on for the first time this week for his new trainer and the $200,000 Blacks A Fake in July has caught the attention of the young horseman.

Gold rush

Beaudesert trainer Wayne Graham is hoping to be covered in gold on Saturday.

Graham prepares talented rookie pacers Park Life who starts in the $322,000 Australian Pacing Gold Fillies Final at Menangle and Jossie James who will start in the $80,000 Albion Park Gold Final at Albion Park. Both have excellent chances.

Not his best

Three Of The Best, the talented rookie gelding has returned from his unsuccessful Melbourne raid and will now be set for the NSW Breeders Challenge series next month.

Trainer Shannon Price was naturally disappointed with his erratic behaviour in last week’s rich APG final at Melton but is pleased to report no harm was taken.

Originally published as Trainer Jack Butler right at home in the Sunshine State