KERRYN MANNING with Merv and Meg Butterworth
A TRIP across the Nullarbor has been booked for promising pacer Stroke Of Luck.
Fresh from his success in yesterday’s St Arnaud Cup, the Ladbrokes Australian Pacing Gold graduate will head to Western Australia as part of Meg and Merv Butterworth’s Inter Dominion assault.
Along with several runners in the prestigious series, the Butterworths will tackle numerous support races, with the San Simeon Series on Stroke Of Luck’s agenda.
“The San Simeon Series perfect for him,” Merv said. “It’s an M0 heat and Final, with the Final worth $50,000.
“Kerryn (Manning, trainer) has him in great shape and the small track at Gloucester Park will suit him.”
Driven by Manning, Stroke Of Luck led throughout from the pole to account for Keep On Rocking and Coldplay Road in 1:58.3 over 2150 metres.
“From the draw he was always going to be hard to beat,” Merv said. “Once he was able to hold the front they were never going to catch him.”
A son of Major In Art the five-year-old has won two of his three starts since arriving at Manning’s stable.
“He is only lightly-raced for a five-year-old, but he has had some setbacks,” Butterworth said. “He certainly goes well enough to make his way through the grades without any worries.”
