Make Way came through gelding in great shape and will race either next week or the week after. PHOTO: Michael McInally.
Tommy was too much of a boy so he’s just Tom now - and it could be the making of him
By Barry Lichter • 3 June 2020
A new look Make Way will line up at today’s Menangle trials, explaining his absence from the track for the last month.
Make Way will be “two stone lighter” trainer Sonya Smith having had to make the call to geld ‘Tommy’ after his last run on May 2.
While pleased with his effort to just miss third at Menangle, after starting from the outside of the arm, Smith and her partner top horseman Anthony Butt were not so enamoured with his behaviour.
It wasn’t so much that Make Way was getting too aggressive behind the gate, but the fact that his behaviour around the stable and in the paddock was becoming unacceptable.
“Ninety percent of the time he was perfect but he was becoming too much of a boy,” says Butt politely.
“He’d always been a bit loud with his squealing but he was getting a bit dangerous around other horses.
“Even when you put him in the paddock he’d be too interested in the horse next door and would kick the rail. He was going to hurt himself so we gelded him for his own safety.”
Butt says while gelding older horses can be a bit of a worry, the rising five-year-old came through his operation great.
“Sometimes it can knock them but he never missed a beat. He had a few days off and then we started jogging him again and he seems to be going as good as ever now. It could be the making of him.”
Make Way contests the second heat at Menangle today at 12.40pm NZ time where, as the second highest assessed pacer, he will start one from the outside over a mile.
“He’ll be ready to race next week but a week later there’s a 2300 metre race which would suit him more than a mile. So we might wait a week and trial again next week.”
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
