Anthony Butt has Make Way travelling a treat in tonight’s City Of Canterbury Council Cup at Bankstown. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.
An A Butt special lands Tommy by a whisker to keep unbeaten streak this season intact
By Barry Lichter • 22 November 2019
Make Way needed an Anthony Butt special to win tonight’s City Of Canterbury Bankstown Council Cup - and he delivered in spades.
For there’s little doubt that only the expertise of Butt got the little horse home in a nose decision so close that commentator Fred Hastings couldn’t pick it.
Drawn the outside of the gate on the tricky Bankstown circuit, Butt “chanced his arm” on release, powering forward to try to cross the favourite Always Flashing.
Anthony Butt brings Make Way back to scale after winning the cup. PHOTO: Ashlea Brennan.When that didn’t work, Butt didn’t panic, settling Make Way in the breeze.
“I would have been happy to sit parked all the way because he relaxed so well there,” said Butt.
“Then when Always Rockin came round at the mile and gave me the one-one that was perfect.”
Butt however found himself pushed three back in the running line when Maximus Red made a move from the back to sit outside the leader.
“That wasn’t ideal because I had to go sooner than I wanted to when Always Rockin was going nowhere.”
The winning of the race undoubtedly came when Butt was able to slot back into the one-one down the back and round the bend, giving Make Way a breather for 100 to 150 metres.
“You never know when you pull out what you’ve got left but he found plenty.
“It’s damn hard coming three wide round that last bend and that horse (Always Flashing) is hard to get past, but mine really dug in.”
Co-owner Duncan Chisholm, holding a framed photo of Make Way, with his mates at Mangawhai last night, all holding winning tickets on the horse.At the post there was nothing in it, Make Way getting the judge’s nod by the finest of margins, a result that had Northland co-owner Duncan Chisholm and his Mangawhai golf mates in an uproar. Most of them held winning tickets on the horse who blew out late in the betting to pay $5.90 on the tote and $5 on fixed odds.
Make Way’s winning time of 3:12.1 for the 2540 metres represented a mile rate of 2:01.7, great going considering the poorly cambered 805 metre track is not condusive to fast times.
“There aren’t many races that far over here but he’s such a great little stayer. He’s doing a great job and hopefully he can keep improving over the next six months.”
The win brought Make Way’s unbeaten sequence this season to four, the A$7622 stake boosting his haul in the last five weeks to A$26,082.
Butt’s partner trainer Sonya Smith now boasts the terrific stats of having lined up her favourite horse ‘Tommy’ 19 times for 10 wins and five placings.
“And there’s a lot to go yet,” says Butt. “Everything is going perfectly, he’s taking every step in his stride and winning good stake money and we haven’t chucked him in the deep end yet.
“We’ll keep picking out the right races for him but sooner or later we’ll have to go back to Menangle and take on the free-for-allers.”
* Make Way is raced by Duncan Chisholm, his brothers John and Dave, friend Warwick Orr, Auckland veteran Bob Best, the 10-member Excell syndicate, Amy Myocevich, Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and their business manager Ian Middleton.
The official photo finish shows just how close it was.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.55pm
“She needed the run last week. Even though she galloped in the score-up, her manners are definitely improving as she didn’t pull in the running. She’ll be sharper this week so hopefully she’ll pace away and get the job done. It looks a pretty even field.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
7.18pm
“He only battled away last start and Fergie said he wasn’t really on the bit at the back of the field. He’s been racing for a while and might be a bit fatigued. The outside draw doesn’t help either and Soul Artist was very impressive winning last time.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She hasn’t got a lot of speed but she tries hard so the best spot for her might be in front, rolling along. That said, her closing sectionals (57.8, 27.9) were the best in the race last time. We couldn’t get one of the Sharpe boys so we’ve had to settle for Frank Phelan. She’s an each-way chance with Andy (Sharpe) the one to beat on Commander Lincoln.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.21pm
“We’ve thrown him in the deep end, but it was either that or trial. He’s been going OK but he’ll need the run for sure.”
Race 2: Spiritual Bliss
5.21pm
“She won’t be completely out of it, she’s better than people think. The inside second row draw isn’t ideal, and luck will obviously play a part, but I think she’ll be competitive.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
5.57pm
“She was always going to need the run last time as it was her first for a long time. She’ll improve off that. She’s plenty fast enough but needs to get fitter.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
5.57pm
“We found he had a bit of a virus after he last raced so had to ease up on him. He’ll be a little short (on fitness) but his class should carry him through. He is vulnerable with his behaviour at the moment but he’s only got to get round without any silliness and I can’t see how they can beat him.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
6.24pm
“He’s racing super and they’ll know he’s there. He’s trained on well since his Metro Final win. He races tough and at Auckland they have to be tough now.”
