Butler Serves Up Three of the Best

Heavyweight jockey Ashley Butler is fixed on chasing more opportunities in Townsville after surging past a half century of Cluden victories with a winning treble today.

Butler was at his best winning on Bold Kingston and Miss Seattle for the Georgie Holt stable, and Secret Quality for trainer Olivia Cairns to take his career tally in Townsville to 53 wins.

The popular Rockhampton hoop is hoping the purple patch of form will lead to more Cluden raids and a big season after an epic year of personal highs and lows.

Butler landed the biggest win of his career in the inaugural $440,000 Archer on Emerald Kingdom in Rockhampton in May.

But his ecstasy turned to agony just a few hours later when he was floored by a king hit that left him with a shattered jaw and 14 weeks on the sidelines.

“It’s something I don’t really like to think about. It was a big day for me and that win was something I needed in my life to give me the kick along to get more rides,” Butler said.

“But what happened afterwards just took the limelight off a magic moment for me.

“I won a Rocky Newmarket last year on Last Chance but the Archer was by far my biggest.

“The broken jaw just put me on the back foot again. 

“I had six teeth pulled, surgery to plate and wire my jaw which was broken in five places. 

“Had surgical braces on my teeth and my jaw wired shut.  I lived on soup and yoghurt.

“But I had some great support from  people. I’ve got to thank Rob Heathcote (trainer of Emerald Kingdom) because he rang me twice a week after that happened. 

“It was a long haul back and days like today are a big boost.

“I’ve got to thank Georgie and Aidan (Holt) for supporting me up here but I don’t get as many opportunities up this way because the local trainers understandably try to be loyal to the local jockeys.

“I’d love to keep coming up for rides and I still love riding in general. 

“I can ride 57.5kg but now that its heating up it will get a bit harder, but I try and limit myself to the 57.5kg.”

Butler landed his winning treble from four rides after foregoing one ride because of weight.

Two wily veterans - trainer Gary “Muttaburra” Dickson and jockey Graham Kliese – also provided a highlight on the nine-event card when they combined to land a big price win with Funky Music.

Kliese used all of his vigour to lift the veteran galloper to a narrow win.

“I haven’t ridden much for Mutta and I’m pretty sure that’s my first winner for him,” Kliese said.