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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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
