Merv’s bull run started with a dare - and The Bull Pen looks to be just warming up

It all started with a dare by Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street.

And, many months later, big Australian owner Merv Butterworth is thanking his lucky stars that he accepted the challenge.

Butterworth was enjoying a whiskey in Lincoln Farms’ hospitality room at Alexandra Park last year when Street ‘dared’ him to send a horse to be trained at Lincoln Farms by Ray Green.

Given Butterworth had horses in stables all over Australia and in New Zealand, Street figured he should entrust one to the leading Pukekohe stable.

John Street … dared Merv Butterworth to send a horse to Lincoln Farms.And when The Bull Pen scored last Friday in his first run from Green’s barn it marked Butterworth’s fifth winner from five horses he has since sent north.

And on Friday night at Alexandra Park, when all three Lincoln Farms runners are owned by Butterworth, The Bull Pen could make it six when he meets a field of similar quality to the one he ran away from last week.

“Given the results to date, with every horse being a winner, one can only say that everyone is a winner,’’ says Butterworth.

“My wife Meg and I are so appreciative of that time that John Street dared me to send his stable a horse to train.’’

Butterworth, who makes a study of placing his horses to the best advantage, has struck gold so far with The Bull Pen, Steam Punk, whom he has since moved on to Australia, Zealand Star, who set a track record at Cambridge in January, Just Wing It and Governor’s Bay.

And the list of winners is set to grow even bigger with five-win trotter Ace Commander now jogging with Green and, the newest recruit, Kiwi Bloke, who arrived at Pukekohe just today.

Both are last-start winners at Forbury Park, and while both are five they look to have plenty of upside.

Ace Commander was eased in work after tying up soon after arriving, but is now back in work, and ready to bowl round at speed on Saturday.

But it’s The Bull Pen whom Green believes could have the best future.

“He went well last week. Even though he got a good trip (in the trail) David (Butcher) had to use him a bit early.

“And it was his first time right-handed, so he couldn’t have done much better.’’

From four on the gate, The Bull Pen rushed to the early lead, before handing up to the favourite Big On Personality.

And the result never looked in doubt when he powered up the passing lane to score by a length and a quarter in a good time of 2:41.7 for the 2200 metres.

“His draw’s not so good this time - six - but I’ll leave it up to David to decide what to do.’’

Governor’s Bay … much better draw this time and will be put in the race.Solid second string

Green believes Butterworth has a solid second string in the fifth race in Governor’s Bay who has the advantage of drawing four this week, with Zachary Butcher in the cart. Last week he drew 10, got back, and made up ground late to finish seventh, less than four lengths from the winner.

“He’s better when he’s out and trucking - he likes being on the pace - and from four Zac will have the chance to put him into the race early.

“Zac will suit him. He needs an aggressive driver and Zac knows him.

“He’s not a bad horse, honest enough - his form line tells you that - but if I had to choose one, I’d go with The Bull Pen.’’

Zachary Butcher also takes back the reins on Butterworth’s third runner Just Wing It, who lines up in the opener on Rowe Cup night.

Just Wing It was handled by stable junior Andrew Drake last Sunday at Cambridge when he started favourite but hung badly and galloped out of contention 900 metres from home.

“I thought he’d have handled Cambridge a lot better but he was hanging all the way.’’

Green says there was nothing wrong with Drake’s move 1200 from home when he attempted to get up outside the leader before the sprint went on.

“But the parked out driver kicked up and left him three wide and then the horse galloped.

“He’s not an easy horse to drive - he locks on one rein.’’

Just Wing It will need plenty of luck from gate six in a much stronger field than he met at Cambridge.