Ants looking for early fireworks at Menangle for Make Way - and he could just get them
By Barry Lichter • 22 April 2019
Only the draw beat Make Way at his last start and top horseman Anthony Butt fears it could be the same story at Menangle on Tuesday.
Courtesy of his consistent form, Lincoln Farms’ colt draws nine of 10 in the mile at 5.33pm NZ time.
And Butt says he needs some early fireworks to give him the chance to score in what is a good and very even line-up.
“That draw makes it tricky again,’’ says Butt. “I’ll be hoping for a bit of action early so I can slot in somewhere.’’
Make Way drew two on the second line last start and was forced to cover plenty of extra ground three wide to get into the party.
Towed forward from the 800, he ended up solo three wide at the 600 and outside the leader Typhoon Stride turning for home.
Anthony Butt … prepares Make Way at Menangle with partner Sonya Smith.Make Way kept coming in the straight, getting almost alongside pacemaker Typhoon Stride before being outstayed late by a neck.
“He went great,’’ says Butt. “Only the draw beat him. He had to make his run a fair way out.
“It’s an even field on Tuesday and the others have drawn better than him again so we’ll need some luck.’’
What could play into Butt’s hands is the presence of former Kiwi Up All Nite who will be having his first start for trainers Shane and Lauren Tritton.
From the ace draw, he is sure to be gunned out after showing real transformation a recent mile trial at Menangle when he won by 18 metres and paced 1:53.2, six tenths of a second faster than Typhoon Stride’s winning race time over Make Way.
“Typhoon Stride got out pretty fast in that race too so they could do a bit early,’’ says Butt.
Alongside Up All Nite in two is another former Kiwi in Wahs Fire Bug, who debuted in 1:55.3 at Winton last month.
Throw in Leonidas, who has won eight of his 16 starts, from the outside of the gate and there are the makings of a good contest.
Butt says he’ll consider taking Make Way to Brisbane in July for the Queensland Derby should his form warrant the trip.
“There aren’t many big races he’s eligible for so if he’s going well closer to the time that’s definitely in the back of my mind.’’
Make Way races at 5.33pm NZ time on Tuesday.
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Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
What’s Up The Hill.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm
“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm
“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm
“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.04pm
“I thought I had Kevin Kline covered on Tuesday when we got to the straight because she was really travelling but he kicked away on us. It would be nice if she can get out of the gate as well again - she has good gate speed - and, if she does, she can get some of it again.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.04pm
“He was too good for them on Tuesday, thanks to a great Fergy drive, and he’s in the same field again this time. The extra distance and wide draw shouldn’t make much of a difference and he’s our best of the night.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.02pm
“He’ll be hard to beat again if he steps like he did on Tuesday. The 10 metre handicap shouldn’t stop him. I think he’s even better if he follows something and the extra 500 metres isn’t a worry.”
