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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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Cambridge
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
1.10pm
“You can’t fault what she’s done up here and she’s trained on really well since Manawatu. She seems to have a good motor and can carry her speed a long way. It’s a bit of a step-up on Wednesday, and she’s drawn out a bit, but she should be right in the fray.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
1.45pm
“It’s a huge drop in class for him on what he’s been racing. The Purdon horse Crippa Max looks the one to beat on his trial but I’m picking we’ll finish in the first three at worst. He’s very honest and does nothing wrong.”
Race 6: Lincoln Downs
2.55pm
“She got skittled early last time when one galloped in front of her, and that didn’t help. It would be nice to see her get a good trip, with no incidents, and see what she can do. She’s no superstar but she tries hard.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
4.31pm
“It’s his first race for more than four months and I’m picking he’ll need the run. It was a toss-up whether we went to the trials, but he’d probably have had no opposition, so it made sense to drop him in here. He’s training well and seems in good shape but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”
