Irish Butterfly has shown plenty of ability in his career to date and he had to call on all of his reserves to take out the Gipsie Jack Wines Handicap at Murray Bridge today.
Jockey Mitch Aitken combined with the five-year-old son of O’Reilly and they found themselves sitting just off the lead, being flushed out a long way from home and a sitting duck for the swoopers. Irish Butterfly however enjoyed every bit of the 1800 metres and outlasted all challengers, securing his fourth win from just fourteen starts, with five placings showcasing his consistency at the track.
“He jumped away really nicely, straight on the bridle, and within 100 metres we elected to go forward because there wasn’t much pace in the race,” said Aitken.
“We went at a pretty steady clip for the first half of the race and we settled outside the lead, rolling along from the 600 metres before the challengers came for us at the 400 metre mark.
“He let down really well and he really grinded away, it was a very tough, very strong win in the end,” said Aitken.
Henry, watching on from St Leonards, was delighted with the win given Irish Butterfly really had to earn the victory and on an interstate trip to go with it.
“It was a good, tough win from Irish Butterfly today,” Henry said.
“It wasn’t an easy task for him given how the race was run, but I am glad Mitch took the initiative and rolled forward with him.
“He might be looking for further now and he probably does like something to chase rather than hitting the lead too early, but Mitch’s ride suited the race today and he got the job done.
“He is a rising six-year-old but he is also still very progressive as he is going to get further, he’s been very consistent over his career to date and there is plenty of upside to come with him,” said Henry.
“His next start is still up in there given his rating goes up after the win, with today’s win potentially the making of him given he really had to dig deep and find something, which will only hold him in good stead moving forward,” Henry enthused.
There are plenty more wins ahead this campaign for this Irish fighter.